May 26, 2025, HRA18
Holocaust Remembrance Association Honors Sacrifice and Remembrance, and Reflects on Memorial Day
As we observe Memorial Day, we pause as a nation to remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. For the Holocaust Remembrance Association, remembrance is not a single day’s reflection but a living, ongoing mission. Just prior to Memorial Day, our leadership had the distinct honor of visiting the Texas Governor’s Reception Room in Austin, where a solemn and powerful tribute—the Missing Man Table—stood in quiet reverence.
We were in Austin to present Governor Greg Abbott with the Champion of Justice Award, an honor announced during our Upstanders Arise gala for his unwavering leadership in confronting antisemitism and supporting the Jewish community. As we stepped into the Governor’s Reception Room, the Missing Man Table served as a deeply moving reminder of shared values: sacrifice, memory, and resolve.
Each item on the Missing Man Table tells a story—of duty, loss, and enduring hope:
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The round table reflects the eternal concern for those who are missing.
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The white tablecloth symbolizes the pure intentions of those who answered the call to serve.
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A single red rose reminds us of lives cut short and the loved ones who still await their return.
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The yellow ribbon signifies the relentless hope of families and comrades left behind.
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A slice of lemon evokes the bitterness of captivity.
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A pinch of salt embodies the tears of families longing for their missing heroes.
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The inverted glass signifies absence from celebration.
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The empty chair speaks to the void left behind.
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The candle offers a beacon of remembrance and hope.
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And the folded American flag testifies to sacrifice made under the banner of liberty.
These symbols resonate with HRA18’s foundational mission to remember, reconcile, and take a stand. Just as the Missing Man Table speaks to America’s collective commitment to honor and remember those who served, our work seeks to ensure that the memories of Holocaust victims, survivors, and heroes are never forgotten.
Our Upstanders Program exists to amplify voices of courage in the face of injustice—those who choose to act rather than stand idly by. Whether they are service members, Holocaust rescuers, or ordinary individuals who refused to yield to hatred, Upstanders remind us that remembrance without responsibility is not enough.
Similarly, the March of Remembrance brings people from across communities together to honor Holocaust survivors and victims, often walking alongside military veterans, faith leaders, and descendants of both survivors and perpetrators. These moments of reflection build bridges of reconciliation and awaken hearts to the power of moral courage.
We were especially moved to see this Memorial Day tribute while presenting our award to Governor Abbott, a leader who understands that remembrance is both sacred and active. Through the Holocaust Garden of Hope, our Upstander initiatives, educational programming, and community outreach, HRA18 continues to foster a culture of memory that inspires justice.
This Memorial Day, as we remember those who served and those we have lost, we invite you to pause at the symbolic Missing Man Table. Reflect on its meaning. Honor those who gave their lives. And commit, as we do at HRA18, to live lives worthy of their sacrifice.
Let us never forget—and let us always remember with purpose.
With respect and determination,
Holocaust Remembrance Association
The Holocaust Remembrance Association exists to remember, reconcile, and take a stand against antisemitism in all its forms.
