Posted on 06/30/2005 11:44:25 AM PDT by Dems_R_Losers
PHILADELPHIA (KYW) At Washington Square, on 7th and Walnut in Philadelphia, is of one of the nation’s most poignant tributes. It is a monument to those who gave their lives fighting for their country. (A veterans memorial that includes a Tomb of the Unknowns from the Revolutionary War.)
An overwhelming response from CBS 3 viewers convinced the city to re-light the eternal flame in Washington Square Park. A dedication ceremony was held at the monument Wednesday.
Over one-hundred people turned out to witness the official re-lighting of the historic monument.
CBS 3 Anchor Larry Mendte reported that in front of the Tomb of the Unknown there was supposed to be an eternal flame. The city of Philadelphia has left it out for what seems like an eternity. But now it has been relit.
The eternal flame was meant to illuminate the engraving on the wall above that gave it meaning.
It is a light for which many men have died in darkness. But with the flame out, darkness shrouds their memories and meaning is lost.
With men and women still fighting and dying in Iraq, thousands of Americans are drawn to Philadelphia and the promise of a flame in front of the tomb of the unknown to pay their respects.
It is fitting and proper that they do so, but when they arrive at the spot where the flame should burn eternal, there is something very improper.
“The eternal flame isn’t lit,” commented one visitor.
Another visitor stated, “I’m a veteran and I think this is appalling.”
Of all of those who made the pilgrimage, CBS 3 was moved the most by James Austin.
“This is called the eternal flame, in memory of soldiers who died and passed for our freedom,” Austin said to his family at the monument.
He is an army man who brought his children up from Maryland to see the flame, only to stand in misty eyed disbelief in front of the false promise to his fallen brothers and sisters.
“Oh boy, I guess just thinking about some of my friends when we served over in Mogadishu,” said Austin tearfully, adding, “It’s a lot of sacrifices that men and women put forth. They believe in this country, they deeply believe in this country.”
“And then when you see this,” asked CBS 3 Anchor Larry Mendte.
“When I see this it’s very disrespectful, it’s not right, it really isn’t right,” responded Austin.
It is said that beneath Washington Square there are more revolutionary war dead than in any spot in the country. As many as 15-thousand buried in a potter’s grave by the British.
The flame was lit in their honor in 1976 with the intention of eternity, but eternity came quickly. The flame has been out for over a decade because of a broken gas line the city hasn’t been able to get around to fixing. The kind of gas line they fix every single day.
“This is a shame, should be a disgrace to the city,” said one visitor to the site.
So why doesn’t the city just fix the gas line?
CBS 3 tried to talk to the park commission down at City Hall, but they would not comment.
Maybe they will talk to you. Here’s the phone number (215) 683-0200. Give them a call. You deserve some answers, especially if you are a veteran or if you know someone currently serving this country over in Iraq, or if you know someone who died.
James Austin, he deserves some answers.
“I just hope that things will work out, that whoever needs being contact, government-wise, that this can be changed,” said Austin.
It is a simple request from one who served. For a flame to bring back meaning, to cast a light on fallen comrades now in darkness.
One veteran was so moved by the story she came out to Washington Square Park Tuesday. With candles in hand, she has been watching vigil and will continue her vigil until the flame is relit.
I visited the dingy border town of Cop in the Ukraine, back in 1992. Even their eternal flame dedicated to WWII was lit.
If those veterans had been gay, the City of Filthydelphia would have been all over repairing it like white on rice -- years ago.
This is Larry Mendte from KYW, CBS3 in Philadelphia. Thank you so much for watching and supporting our stories. We are all proud that the flame has been re-lit. Let it never go out again. As one woman who had a son die in Iraq told me, "Shame is the nation that forgets its war dead."
I spent the first 23 years of my life 30 miles south of Philly in Wilmington, DE. I'm glad my home region is recognizing the war dead from the War for Independence.
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