May 23 5 to 8 p.m. NFF Lithia Rd and US 11 Buchanan, VA

For hundreds of years the light in the distance meant hope. The flickering in the distance of the light high atop the lighthouse tells of nearing land in a heavy fog, the dim light of a front porch says come inside to the warmth of home, and let us not forget the lantern of Paul Revere riding through the streets to warn the British were coming. There was a time long ago that our forefathers fought to provide us with freedom, then came other wars fought to preserve those freedoms. Today we fight to protect that freedom.

This flame is also a symbol. It lights the way home for your brothers and sisters in arms. It crosses this great country to tell everyone the Soldier stands with pride and honor to keep us free and we keep the light burning to show the way home. The light does not cast a shadow for its sole purpose is to send the message of hope, to let everyone know we will not forget.

The Flame of Freedom© has one purpose and that is to be the symbol of hope lighting the way home for America’s silent heroes, prisoners of war/missing in action. Rolling Thunder® Flame of Freedom© is one of two premier symbols of the movement to convince our government to allow the return of American POWs from Southeast Asia, Russia, China, Middle East and anywhere around the world they remain. It supports educating the public and motivating public action on the issue through awareness. The Flame is the personification of the effort to bring our missing home. Rolling Thunder® keeps the POW issue alive and so fuels the light of the Flame’s illuminating darkness. Rolling Thunder® and the Flame are the life blood of the cry for rescue from our brothers left behind in the fight for freedom. This Flame is a focal symbol to elevate the level of public awareness for their plight.

submitted by Lois Fritz, New Freedom Farm