Michael Rudulph stands vigil outside the Eternal Flame of Freedom monument on the edge of Linn Park, outraged that it’s been years — no one knows for sure how many — since there’s been so much as a flicker from the granite tribute to all war veterans.
A 28-year-old Birmingham man said he has served three tours of duty as a reserve U.S. Marine, but on Wednesday he waged a different kind of battle.
Michael Rudulph stood vigil outside the Eternal Flame of Freedom monument on the edge of Linn Park, outraged that it’s been years — no one knows for sure how many — since there’s been so much as a flicker from the granite tribute to all war veterans.
“For the time period we’re living in, that’s a slap in the face to all who have served,” Rudulph said.
Rudulph, who served seven years in the reserve, said a fellow Marine pointed out the flameless monument to him about four years ago. He said he has since made repeated attempts to contact city and county officials, but to no avail.
At noon Wednesday, Rudulph lit his own makeshift torch in protest. Armed with a fire extinguisher and hot coffee, he vowed to stand guard until the problem is fixed, leaving his post only to attend classes at UAB and to sleep.
“I would think this would be their No. 1 priority, he said.
The problem is, no one seemed quite sure who is responsible for the memorial. Birmingham city and Jefferson County officials passed off the responsibility to each other.
Finally, Wednesday afternoon, Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford made a call.
“In light of the concerns, particularly of the veterans, the mayor has said he’ll work with Alagasco to fix it,” said Deborah Vance, Langford’s chief of staff.
It seems like our Marines are getting disrespected, intentionally and unintentionally, every time we turn around. The big hullabaloo in Berkeley is enough to make anyone nauseous. Especially considering that the media is much more interested in covering the rantings of Marxists dressed in pink (a disgraceful misuse for a perfectly good color!) than the great things our Marines and Soldiers have accomplished. Such is the society we live in.
While those silly women are protesting the Marines under the protection of the Marines, one lone Marine holds his own protest. His is quiet and peaceful but with real meaning. He stands vigil over the Eternal Flame of Freedom in Birmingham to see that it is finally lighted after many years of being flameless.
Symbols mean something and the Eternal Flame of Freedom in Birmingham was erected in honor of veterans of all wars. The lack of a flame in the monument is indicative of the value our veterans have to the people.
Its a sad day when there is no flame in an Eternal Flame of Freedom.
I am grateful that we have veterans like Michael Rudulph who understand the value of our veterans. I’m grateful that a young man understands the value of expressing our gratitude in a tangible manner.
tiara tip: The Cotillion
February 15th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I HAVE SERVED WITH CPL. MICHAEL RUDOLPH IN THE HORN OF AFRICA AND I DO HAVE TO AGREE IT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE……I JUST WISH I WAS THERE TO STAND ANOTHER POST IN FRONT OF THE MONUMENT WITH THIS MARINE……SEMPER FIDELIS MARINES, GOD BLESS AMERICA!
February 17th, 2008 at 11:59 am
..and they say communism is not a threat!
It’s living among us in the form of idiots like Code Pink!
They’re not against war, they’re just against anything that would have the America we know and love defend herself!
February 17th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Videos from Berkeley…
Thanks to Leaning Straight Up, I have some links to share with you from the city council, the mayor, and some of the good people who were/are involved in this debacle at Berkeley. It took him hours to put this together, and there should be more to co…..