MONTICELLO  — An air of reverence and rememberence was present in the lobby of the Sullivan County Government Center last Friday afternoon.

As part of POW and MIA Recognition Day, the Sullivan County Veterans Service Agency hosted the Ceremony to honor those who have suffered and have been lost in combat.

The ceremony of honor was led by Sullivan county Veterans Service Agency Director Stephen Walsh. One of the highlights of the ceremony was the set for one.

“The table is our way of symbolizing the fact that members of our professional arms are missing,” said Walsh. “They’re commonly called P.O.W. or M.I.A.s, but we call them brothers.”

In a poignant moment, Walsh described what each aspect of the table symbolized.

The small size of the table was said to symbolize the frailty of one prisoner alone against his oppressors.

The white tablecloth was said to symbolize the purity of the inner tensions of a son to his country’s call to arms.

The table’s red rose was stated to symbolize the friends and loved ones of our comrades in arms who keep the faith awaiting their return.

The yellow ribbon is reminiscent of the yellow ribbon worn on the lapel breasts of thousands who persist  with their unyielding determination to demand proper accounting of our missing.

The lit candle is said to symbolize the upper reach of incomparable spirit.

The slice of lemon on the plate was to remind of their bitter fate.

The salt on the plate symbolized the countless fallen tears of families who wait.

The inverted glass symbolized the inability to toast with us tonight.

“The chair, it is empty. They are not here,” recited Walsh. “[And] until the day they come home, remember.”

Statistics have been gathered since the last ceremony, and 114 more of the 17,000 missing in action World War II service men and women have been recovered in the last 12 months.

Of special recognition was the guest of honor for the ceremony, Marty Feldman who is a World War II Veteran.

Feldman was born on August 10 of 1925. He is 99 years old.

He was accompanied by his daughters and current partner and girlfriend.

Drafted at the age of 19, it would be 15 years before Feldman would ever speak about the gruesome and horrific things he’s experienced during his time as a P.O.W..

Walsh described the story of Feldman’s combat service and how he got captured as a P.O.W. in a counterattack.

“Mr. Feldman, we would like to extend our gratitude on behalf of the Sullivan County Veterans Service Agency for your enduring sacrifice that has transcended time,” Walsh stated. “Thank you for paving the way for generations of veterans and American patriots that follow in your footsteps of resilience. You, sir, are a true American hero.”