MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – “The table is set with a white tablecloth, a black napkin and white candle, and a plate with only a slice of lemon and salt. An empty chair leans against the table.

The tradition, little known to the general public, of setting an empty table with a white tablecloth in remembrance of prisoners of war and those missing in action had its beginnings with a group of fighter pilots who flew in Vietnam.

But what was started by the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association — the so-called River Rats of Vietnam — has, during the intervening years, spread to other branches of the military where remembrance tables, or so-called missing man tables, are set when units or commands gather for dinners or reunions.

This Memorial Day, the story of the remembrance table will become a bit better known with the publication of the children’s picture book “America’s White Table,” which tells the story of the tables.

“It’s really thanking everyone who served — not just Vietnam, it has gone beyond that,” said Tom Hanton, a 60-year-old former fighter pilot who spent nine months as a POW in Vietnam. “It applies to those serving right now in Iraq and Afghanistan and all around the world.”

The book’s author, Margot Theis Raven of Mount Pleasant, said she would like to see white table become a tradition for all Americans, just like putting out the flag on Independence Day.” Leave comments and call the voicemail line: 202-709-3029, Twitter: @RadioArcherr Instagram: @radioarcherr
[sc_embed_player fileurl=”http://www.archerr.com/podcasts/ArcherRadio804.mp3″]