Stepping Stones of Honor continues
A table was set up at the event in remembrance of those who never returned home. It is called “The Missing Man Table”. Each item represents a part of the battle loved ones and fellow brothers and sisters in arms feel to hear someone they know is MIA or a POW. “The TABLE ... set for one ... is small – symbolizing the loneliness we feel without them. The TABLECLOTH is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions and willingness to respond to their country’s call to arms. The single ROSE in the vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms, who kept the faith awaiting their return, and forever left behind. The RED RIBBON tied so prominently on the vase, is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn by many who bear witness to their unyielding determination; to account for every one of our missing. There is SALT upon the bread plate too, symbolic of the river of tears shed by families and loved ones. The GLASS is inverted they cannot toast with us this night. The CHAIR is empty they are not here.”
Photos by Madeline Scarborough The family of Christopher Paul Charlton, USMC donated a bench near the Veterans Memorial at Parkersburg City Park that has the suicide hotline number on it. Charlton committed suicide after returning home and battling PTSD.
A table was set up at the event in remembrance of those who never returned home. It is called “The Missing Man Table”. Each item represents a part of the battle loved ones and fellow brothers and sisters in arms feel to hear someone they know is MIA or a POW. “The TABLE ... set for one ... is small – symbolizing the loneliness we feel without them. The TABLECLOTH is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions and willingness to respond to their country’s call to arms. The single ROSE in the vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms, who kept the faith awaiting their return, and forever left behind. The RED RIBBON tied so prominently on the vase, is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn by many who bear witness to their unyielding determination; to account for every one of our missing. There is SALT upon the bread plate too, symbolic of the river of tears shed by families and loved ones. The GLASS is inverted they cannot toast with us this night. The CHAIR is empty they are not here.”
Photos by Madeline Scarborough The family of Christopher Paul Charlton, USMC donated a bench near the Veterans Memorial at Parkersburg City Park that has the suicide hotline number on it. Charlton committed suicide after returning home and battling PTSD.
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PARKERSBURG -- 75 new bricks and a new bench were placed at the Stepping Stones of Honor memorial Saturday at City Park.
The bricks are laid by family members to honor those who have served. Their name, military branch and where they served are listed on the bricks and called out as a representative goes to place the brick.
Some of the family members even take a moment to talk about their loved ones.
"Today, just a couple days after Veterans Day would have been my father's 99 birthday (Jennings Kelly)," said John Kelly, a member of the House of Delegates District 10.
Kelly said the fact that the event fell on his father's birthday made laying that brick down even more special to him.
Another family that spoke was the daughter of Gene Stump of Parkersburg.
Stump passed away in 2016 at 90 years old.
His daughter Cherie Stump Lane said her father was double promoted in high school and graduated in 1942 at the young age of 16. He joined the Navy when he was 18 and served in World War II.
He commissioned the USS Kingsbury along with decommissioning it, before being honorably discharged.
Lane drove over six hours to spend the day remembering and honoring her father.
"My mother and I are honored to be here laying this brick for him and remembering all those who served," she said.
Following reading the names and laying the bricks, a new bench was presented to those gathered and a brick was layed in front of it.
The new bench was donated the family of Christopher Paul Charlton, USMC and has the suicide hotline number on it. Charlton committed suicide after returning home and battling PTSD.
"When they come home, the battle is not over," said Linda Subat Charlton's grandmother.
"That is when we need to reach out to them and be there for them."
Subat said that many soldiers come home and lose their lives to suicide.
"It (suicide and suicidal thoughts) is something that needs addressed, you don't always see it coming or even know where it came from, so talk with them about it," she said.
Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com