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Rolling Thunder®, Inc Flame Of Freedom® |
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The following protocol is to be followed when using The Flame
The Flame is introduced by a civilian (preferably a Gold or Blue
Star family member) escorted by Rolling Thunder member(s)
walking clockwise around the table
and standing behind the table and just to the right of a Rolling
Thunder member standing a parade rest.
The purpose of walking clockwise represents the soldier
leaving the comforts of home and walking into harms way.
As The Flame is brought to the table a Rolling Thunder member
reads a statement that describes the purpose of The Flame. The
following is offered as an example but can be altered to fit a
particular circumstance.
The only requirement is
that whatever is spoken ties The Flame to the Missing Man Table.
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 to send the message of hope, to let everyone know we
will not forget.
The Table that sits before you is a symbolism of faith and
hope.
A place waiting undisturbed until the soldier returns.
The flame will light this table as long as the
table sits empty.
At this point, invite any in attendance with family members
currently serving in theater in harms way to come down as the
candles are lit.
The Flame walks counter clockwise around the table lighting each
candle at each place setting.
If only one candle is used on the table only one candle
is lit. When
lighting the candles it is important to light each from The
Flame and not from other candles on the table.
The purpose of walking counter clockwise is to represent
the soldier returning home. The following protocol is to be followed when using The Flame without a Missing Man Table.
Invite any in attendance with family members currently serving
in theater in harm’s way and to those who have had loved ones
serving our country to come down as the Flame is introduced. Introduce the flame walking to the center of
the area where the ceremony will take place.
The introduction should include the following
explanation: This Flame is a symbol of hope and faith. It is sometimes used with a table set to represent our missing comrades. A table that sits undisturbed and waiting patiently for the soldier’s return home; however, today The Flame stands alone. Imagine it as a single light in the distance flickering softly not unlike a 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 to send the message of hope, to let everyone know we
will not forget.
Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will The Flame be used to solicit money for any purpose. |
A Rolling Thunder member stands behind the table at
parade rest while another member reads a narrative description
of the table and its purpose.