Throughout the month of may, visitors to Carnegie Public Library will be able to view a display courtesy of the Fayette County Historical Society.
According to Carnegie Public Library Director Sarah Nichols, the display was curated by Jeff Garringer.
”It is May—May Day, Kentucky Derby, Mother’s Day, Indianapolis 500—all things happening this month. Let us not forget our past military members on Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, as it used to be known,” wrote Nichols in an email.
Nichols further explained the display is to honor and remember passed military family members and friends.
The display includes two uniforms—one WWI and one WWII, a shadow box, a battlefield cross, graveside flag holders from the Revolutionary War through Vietnam, and a folded flag similar to those presented at military funerals.
“In addition, we have placed a fallen comrade table to honor these men and women. Please take a few minutes to stop by the library and look at the display,” wrote Nichols.
On the table is a candle that Garringer has on a timer to light each morning at 9 a.m. and go out at 7 p.m.
The following information, courtesy of Garringer, pertains to the importance of the symbols within the display:
-“The table is round—to show our everlasting concern for our missing men.”
-“The tablecloth 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 of each of the missing and their loves ones and friends of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers.”
-“The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.”
-“A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.”
-“A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers.”
-“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’s toast.”
-“The chair is empty—they are missing.”
-“Let us now raise our glasses in a toast to honor America’s POW/MIAs and to the success of our efforts to account for them.”
Carnegie Public Library is located at 127 S. North St. in Washington Court House.
Reach journalist Jennifer Woods at 740-313-0355.
