At present, the security of America is not a certainty, we must never relax our efforts in being prepared for the forces that may threaten our democracy. Working with your local officials in Civil Preparedness, crime prevention, donations to the USO, purchasing U.S. Savings Bonds, assisting victims of natural disasters and awareness of our POW/MIA issues is all part of this program.
Key Program Statements:
- The National Security program maintains and promotes a strong national defense by strengthening and supporting military servicemembers and their families.
- Support active-duty military families by working with an installation Family Readiness Group (FRG). Contact the Family Readiness Center on your nearby military installation for more information.
Department Chairman: Janet Elston
Email: nyalanationalsec@gmail.com
2023-2024 Information and Report Forms:
- National Security – 2023-2024 Plan of Action*
- *Correction- The award is “Salute to Service Members Award” not- Servicewomen. The nomination form is not available on the National website at this time (9/21/23). As soon as this is available, we will update the information.
- National Security – 2024 County Report Form
- National Security – 2024 Unit Report Form
- National Security- SALUTE TO SERVICE MEMBERS AWARD NOMINATION FORM
- (LINK TO NATIONAL WEBSITE)
- How to Train for FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Teams
- How to Collaborate with the American Red Cross’ Service to the Armed Forces
- How to Collaborate with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
- Planning a Powerful POW/MIA Remembrance Service
- How to Collaborate with the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse eMentor Program
- How to eMentor Women Veterans and Military Spouses with the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
There are various table settings, but all reflect a solemn remembrance of those who have never returned. The U.S. Department of Defense has a toolkit for National POW/MIA Recognition Day that includes the Missing Man Table. This example is a table for six with a chair and hat for each branch of the service: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard — and civilians. https://www.dpaa.mil/Portals/85/2019%20Toolkit.PDF
The National League of POW/MIA Families site also refers to this table setting. https://www.pow-miafamilies.org/missing-man-table-and-honors-ceremony.html
The setting is referred to most often as the “White Table Ceremony” or “America’s White Table.”
“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any way, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” —Gen. George Washington
AMERICA’S WHITE TABLE
https://www.veteranscaucus.org/america-s-white-table
The table honors the men and women who served in America’s Armed Forces.
The table is round — to show our everlasting devotion and concern for our fallen and missing comrades.
The cloth is white — symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.
The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life, and the blood that was shed, and their loved ones and friends who keep the faith and await answers.
The vase is tied with a red ribbon, a symbol of our commitment, and continued determination to account for our missing.
A slice of lemon on the plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.
The salt is to remind us of the tears endured by those missing and their families who still seek answers.
The black napkin is a reminder of the isolation, deprivation, and cruel fate of our missing.
The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.
The glass is inverted — to symbolize their inability to share this evening with us.
The chair is empty and tilted — they are not here — and will remain so until they return or are accounted for.
“You are not forgotten so long as there is one left in whom your memory remains.”
Community Emergency Readiness Training