This Memorial Day weekend, restaurants across the state of Maryland will have “Missing Man” tables set in their dining rooms to honor the American soldiers who have lost their lives or are still missing in action while serving their country.  These tables are also referred to as a MIA/POW table, Empty table or Fallen Comrade table.
 
The Missing Man table is a permanent place of honor found in military dining facilities that are also set up during service balls and other military dining occasions.  The tradition of setting a separate table in honor of fallen and missing soldiers has been in place since the end of the Vietnam War.  The manner in which the table is decorated is full of special symbols to help us remember the sacrifice these men, women and their families have given to their country.
 
As families and friends get together this holiday weekend, restaurants across the state will have Missing Man tables set up to remind their customers of those we have lost.  The Restaurant Association of Maryland led the effort to educate restaurants on the meaning of the Missing Man table and encouraged their members to participate. 
 
Marshall Weston, President & CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland, commented that “Restaurants are the cornerstones of their communities.  They often donate to numerous charitable causes and most offer discounts to military and other service members to thank them for what they do to protect us.  The Missing Man table is just another way for restaurants to recognize and honor them, while also reminding customers of their sacrifice”.

Click the READ MORE button to see how the Missing Man Table is set up and a list of restaurants participating.

​The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) presented their 2018 Educator of Excellence Awards (EEA) for outstanding achievement to thirty-seven educators from across the country. Domenic Mallardi, a ProStart teacher at Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Prince George’s County and a 2018 EEA recipient, was also one of two teachers chosen to receive the prestigious James H. Maynard Excellence in Education Award presented by the National Restaurants Association Education Foundation and Golden Corral. This great national honor highlights the amazing work happening in Chef Mallardi’s ProStart classroom and in ProStart classrooms across Maryland.