JFK's Eternal Flame in for Repairs

Temporary torch filling in for a few weeks
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 30, 2013 7:06 PM CDT
JFK's Eternal Flame in for Repairs
This handout photo provided by Arlington National Cemetery shows an engineering technician lighting a torch from JFK's eternal flame. A temporary flame will burn while the regular one gets an upgrade.   (AP Photo/Patrick Bloodgood, US Army, Arlington National Cemerery)

There is still, as always, an "eternal flame" burning at the Arlington grave of John F. Kennedy. But for the next few weeks, a temporary torch will do the honors as the regular one goes in for repairs after more than four decades, reports CNN. Technicians made the transfer of flames yesterday, then began the work of installing new gas lines and a new, more efficient burner, among other things. One historical tidbit: A "temporary" burner was used at the grave from Kennedy's burial in 1963 until 1967, when the permanent one got installed. (More John F. Kennedy stories.)

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