Supporters Save National WWI Museum Eternal Flame for Another Year

The eternal flame at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial will no longer be extinguished after July 4, thanks to an individual and business grassroots fundraising campaign. The flame that burns atop the 217-foot Liberty Memorial tower was to be extinguished due to budget cuts unless $45,000 (the annual flame operating costs) in private donations was raised. Pioneer Services, a Kansas City-based company, donated $5,000 to keep the flame lit between Memorial Day and July 4, and offered to match all contributions up to a total of $22,500. At a rally this morning at the base of the Liberty Memorial, it was announced that $41,000 had been raised from individuals and corporate donations, with contributions ranging from $5.00 to $5,000. With Pioneer Services' matching contribution, the Save the Flame campaign raised... [read full story]