What is the meaning of the pow-mia table?

Answer 1

The POW/MIA table is symbolic of members of the armed forces who have become prisoners of war in foreign countries as well as those who are missing and unaccounted for.

There 2 different versions of the table: one place setting, and up to 6 or even more.

The table with only one place setting is often symbolic of the lone prisoner who isn't home when they should be: one empty chair, one inverted glass. But it is also symbolic of all missing persons.

The table with up to six place settings, is often symbolic of all those who have gone missing from all branches of the military as well as civilians who are unaccounted for. I say up to six place settings when in reality there could be more. The settings contain a service cover from different branches: Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and a civilian ball cap. Sometimes the Coast Guard is included. I was able to be a part of an honor guard performing this ceremony and we included a cover from the Civil Air Patrol (Air Force Auxiliary) as well.

It is a very solemn, yet beautiful ceremony. I would suggest looking a little deeper into it. Maybe look for more of the symbolism of the different elements of the table.