America's White Table

The White Table is set in many mess halls as a symbol for and remembranceto service members fallen, missing, or held captive in the line of duty.Solitary and solemn, it is the table where no one will ever sit.As a special gift to her Uncle John, Katie and her sisters are asked to help set the white table for dinner. As their mother explains the significance of each item placed on the table Katie comes to understand and appreciate the depth of sacrifice that her uncle, and each member of the Armed Forces and their families, may be called to give.It was just a little white table...but it felt as big as America when we helped Mama puteach item on it and she told us why it was so important."We use a Small Table, girls," she explained first,"to show one soldier's lonely battle against many.We cover it with a White Cloth to honor a soldier'spure heart when he answers his country's call to duty.""We place a Lemon Slice and Grains of Salt on a plateto show a captive soldier's bitter fate and the tears of familieswaiting for loved ones to return," she continued."We push an Empty Chair to the tablefor the missing soldiers who are not here..."Margot Theis Raven has been a professional writer working in the fields of radio, television,magazines, newspapers, and children's books for 30 years. Margot's first children's book, Angelsin the Dust, won five national awards, including an IRATeacher's Choice Award. Her firstbook with Sleeping Bear Press, Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot, was the runner-up for the2004 Texas Bluebonnet Award. She lives with her family in Charleston, South Carolina.Mike Benny's illustrations have appeared in Time, GQ, New Yorker and Sports IllustratedMagazines. He has also been awarded two Gold Medals from the Society of Illustrators. This isMike's first children's book. He lives in Austin, Texas with his wife Mary Ann and daughter Adele.