The New England Patriots and New England Revolution unveiled a permanently unoccupied black seat in the south end zone of Gillette Stadium Friday dedicated to thousands POW/MIA soldiers.

The empty seat will serve as a permanent memorial to honor the brave men and women who served our country and never returned home.

Friday's ceremony at Gillette Stadium marked the first time in the history of professional sports a team dedicated a permanently unoccupied seat in recognition of the many soldiers who are POW/MIA.

Robert Kraft, chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group and Joe D’Entremont, president of the Massachusetts Chapter 1 of the Rolling Thunder, participated in the dedication, along with approximately 50 members of the Rolling Thunder, who entered Gillette Stadium on their motorcycles.

View the photo gallery above for scenes from Friday’s dedication.