# Has Kennedy's Eternal Flame Ever Went Out? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 12, 2006, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049 "2006-03-12T16:29:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/1 "2006-03-12T16:29:31Z")
So has the eternal flame ever went out for more then a minute or so? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/2 "2006-03-12T17:23:22Z")
A rainstorm in August of 1967 extinguished it for a short time. The automatic igniter transformer was flooded, and it had to be relit by hand. Newspaper stories make it seem as though it was only out for the duration of the storm. Rainstorms frequently put it out at that time, but the automatic lighter always lit it quickly. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/3 "2006-03-12T17:25:10Z")
[More details from the Wiki article:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_Eternal_Flame) The John F. Kennedy eternal flame is a United States Presidential Memorial at the gravesite of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, in Arlington National Cemetery. After the assassination of the President, the widowed First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, requested an eternal flame for his gravesite. She was apparently inspired by the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, which her husband had seen during a visit to France in 1961. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ran a gas line to the gravesite, fed by propane tanks from a distance. Jacqueline Kennedy lit the flame at the end of the burial service during the state funeral on November 25, 1963. This was seen live on nationwide television and broadcast to other nations by satellite. In 1967, Kennedy’s body was reinterred in its permanent gravesite at the cemetery, surrounded by Cape Cod field stones and selections from the Inaugural Address on marble panels. The new eternal flame device was fed by an underground line designed and created by the Institute of Gas Technology of Chicago. However, the flame had been temporarily diverted and continued to burn during this period. The selection of an eternal flame to commemorate President Kennedy was the first time in the world that an individual person was given such an honor. Previously, the only eternal flame within the U.S. was the torch burning constantly at the battlefield in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in honor of the dead from the American Civil War. That flame had been lit by President Franklin Roosevelt on the 75th anniversary of the battle in 1938. Henceforward, eternal flames would come to be designated more frequently around the world to honor the loss of persons of great significance, in addition to major tragic events. Gravestone and flameThe present device rests on top of a five-foot circular granite stone at the head of Kennedy’s grave. It produces a continuous spark which re-ignites the flame whenever it is momentarily extinguished by any means (usually rain or snow). The device blows a continuous flow of air at the flame, keeping it a uniform color. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/4 "2006-03-12T18:27:16Z")
> [@Abbie Normal](#): > > So has the eternal flame ever went out for more then a minute or so? I doesn’t know if it have ever done that. Maybe it getted put out by rain, as **samclem** say. Or maybe it wented on burning forever. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/5 "2006-03-12T18:28:30Z")
Has the EPA raised a stink about this? What about the nergy wastage of this…is the eternal flame a significant contributor to global warming? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/6 "2006-03-12T18:32:17Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Has the EPA raised a stink about this? What about the nergy wastage of this…is the eternal flame a significant contributor to global warming? Ummm…just in case that was a serious question, the answer is “No” to both. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/7 "2006-03-12T18:38:38Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > I doesn’t know if it have ever done that. Maybe it getted put out by rain, as **samclem** say. Or maybe it wented on burning forever. There’s no need to be an ass about it. You only had to point out that the correct usage is “have gone” rather than “have went”; a little instruction goes a long way, you know. We’re supposed to be fighting ignorance, not just making fun of it. ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/8 "2006-03-12T19:29:34Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > There’s no need to be an ass about it. You only had to point out that the correct usage is “have gone” rather than “have went”; a little instruction goes a long way, you know. We’re supposed to be fighting ignorance, not just making fun of it. Thank you Q.E.D. I was confused with his response, and did not know I misused grammar again. At least with you pointing it out, I understand and will be able to learn from my mistake. Thank you all for the answers, last night I watched the JFK movie and this question was born. ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/9 "2006-03-12T20:46:55Z")
According to this [unofficial Arlington web site](http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/eternalflame.htm) the flame at the original grave (before the remains were moved to their permanent site) once was _put_ out: > [@](#): > > It seems that a Catholic school group came to visit the grave. Instead of sprinkling the consecrated water, they poured it directly on the flame. It went out. Fortunately, one of the guards at the grave was a smoker. He used his cigarette lighter to get it restarted. ---
**Author:** ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/10 "2006-03-12T20:56:42Z")
> [@Abbie Normal](#): > > Thank you Q.E.D. I was confused with his response, and did not know I misused grammar again. At least with you pointing it out, I understand and will be able to learn from my mistake. If you’re in the mood for learning, you used the word “then” in your OP when it should have been “than.” “Then” denotes time, where “than” denotes a comparison. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/11 "2006-03-12T20:59:58Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > There’s no need to be an ass about it. You only had to point out that the correct usage is “have gone” rather than “have went”; a little instruction goes a long way, you know. We’re supposed to be fighting ignorance, not just making fun of it. Oops. I assumed it was a typo (well, the grammatical equiv of a typo). If I’d thought it was an actual error I would not have been so snarky. Sorry about that, **Abbie Normal**. ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/12 "2006-03-12T21:09:25Z")
> [@Speaker for the Dead](#): > > If you’re in the mood for learning, you used the word “then” in your OP when it should have been “than.” “Then” denotes time, where “than” denotes a comparison. I actually knew that one. Doesn’t make me not make the damn mistake again, and again. I have corrected the should of/could of mistakes as I now focus on anytime time should/could is used. I never have a problem with someone correcting me. I have started threads asking for help with different grammar points. I do not have an ego that gets crushed when corrected. I made it through schooling with the piss poor grammar I have, and have a decent life even with the bad grammar. But when my kids come home from school someday and ask for my help on something grammar related, I do not want to be caught with my brain dead. AHunter3: No problem, but when you see my nickname, assume it is not a typo and actual ignorance. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/13 "2006-03-12T21:11:30Z")
> [@Abbie Normal](#): > > I actually knew that one. Doesn’t make me not make the damn mistake again, and again. I have corrected the should of/could of mistakes as I now focus on anytime time should/could is used. Should **have** /could **have** Just for the record. ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/14 "2006-03-12T21:15:15Z")
> [@Hilarity N. Suze](#): > > Should **have** /could **have** > > Just for the record. Yes I know, I always used could of/should of. Until someone pointed it out to me. Now it’s like the arrow in the FedEx symbol, I notice it as soon as I type it. And that’s why I accept the corrections, because eventually everything will sink in. I should have been more precise in my statement. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/15 "2006-03-12T21:21:08Z")
> [@Hilarity N. Suze](#): > > Should **have** /could **have** Or _should’ve_ and _could’ve_, which are probably the reason that _should of_ and _could of_ became such common errors. The sound nearly identical. ---
**Author:** ![furnishesq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/977dab/32.png) [@furnishesq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furnishesq)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/16 "2006-03-12T21:43:01Z")
Do we \*have \* to hijack the OP’s interesting question on something so trivial? :mad: I did not know JFK was reburied in 1967 – how far away is his orginal burial site from the current one? Where is the gas to light the flame kept? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/17 "2006-03-12T22:52:18Z")
> [@](#): > > Has the EPA raised a stink about this? What about the nergy wastage of this…is the eternal flame a significant contributor to global warming? Hmmm, one Kennedy wasting natural gas, another stopping wind farms off Nantucket, anyone else sensing a pattern here? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/18 "2006-03-12T22:58:15Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Hmmm, one Kennedy wasting natural gas, another stopping wind farms off Nantucket, anyone else sensing a pattern here? Yeah, I am. And stop it before it starts. **samclem** ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/19 "2006-03-12T23:46:58Z")
Eternal flames go out all the time. ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049/20 "2006-03-12T23:47:23Z")
> [@furnishesq](#): > > Where is the gas to light the flame kept? According to the site I linked to earlier: > [@](#): > > Now the eternal flame is fueled from an underground line of natural gas. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-kennedys-eternal-flame-ever-went-out/348049.md?page=2)