The rose stands for the family with faith and love for those who serve, <br />They're held with the highest respect for that's what they deserve. <br /> <br />A yellow ribbon is for the loyalty waiting for those serving abroad, <br />As we pray that they're watched over and kept close to God. <br /> <br />An inverted glass represents that the fallen can no longer toast, <br />They cannot be an honored guest or such a gracious host. <br /> <br />A lemon wedge represents the bitter loss of the fallen soldier's life, <br />That causes so much pain like the sharp edge of a knife. <br /> <br />The salt is put in place for all the loved ones' shedding tears, <br />For the soldier is no longer present to help calm our fears. <br /> <br />The candle stands tall for the blood that the soldier shed, <br />It holds a place of honor and represented in red. <br /> <br />The empty chair symbolizes the missing comrade who isn't here, <br />Now it stands alone for the voice that we can't here.<br /><br />Jon M. Nelson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/fallen-soldier-table/
