"Thanks Robert for accepting this year’s honor from the Carry the Flame and Thanks to the Central Arkansas HOG Chapter for coming out to support this event and a BIG thanks to George Newcomb and his crew of Landers Little Rock Harley-Davidson for fixing those bikes needing a little help to continue their trip and for feeding everyone."
--
Carry the Flame began in 2002 when King Cavalier II took the first ceremonial torch, borrowed from the Special Olympics to the Rolling Thunder Candlelight Vigil on Memorial weekend in Washington, DC. The Flame was lit and carried by representatives of the American Gold Star Mothers, American Gold Star Wives, and the Blue Star Mothers of America and continues to this day.
The first Carry the Flame cross country tour took place in 2003 when riders leaving from California carried the ceremonial torch to the Navajo/ Hopi reservation home of Lori Piestewa. It was lit in honor of the Lady Warrior; the first active duty female soldier lost in combat; the first American Native woman lost in service to the United States of America; and the first active duty female soldier lost in captivity as Prisoner of War.
Now known as Carry the Flame Across America, in 2009 the tour was joined by Marine SSGT Tim Chambers who honored the fallen from Iraq, Afghanistan and the War on Terror at salute alongside the Carry the Flame Across America Torch Detail and representatives of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Tulsa Chapter at 15 stops including the final ceremony at the World War II Memorial.
For more information visit: http://carrytheflame.org/
