Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Flame of Hope
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 5, 2013
1. The Flame of Hope Monument Marker
The monument was built by volunteers from Construction Battalion 415 and sponsored by the Virginia Beach Jaycees and Oceana wives of the "They're Not Forgotten" Committee.
The Virginia Beach Jaycees coordinated contributions from the community which enabled VA-43 to obtain 50 cubic feet of cement, a propane gas tank, the 34,000 pound centerpiece, and fixtures for the plumbing for the torch. The Flame of Hope was formally dedicated on Friday, May 22, 1972.
The original intent of the monument was to have a live flame light the way for the return of all POW/MIAs from Southeast Asia, after which the flame would be extinguished. The dream of those promoting the monument was that "the flame burn briefly." However, as the war continued, the Flame of Hope became a rallying point around which the Oceans wives' "They're Not Forgotten"
this page online
In February 1973, the first of 565 American prisoners were released as a result of the Vietnam Peace Accords returned home and it seemed like the dream to have the flame extinguished upon gaining a full accounting of those missing was drawing near.
When "Operation Homecoming" ended, the fate of over two thousand military men remained a mystery and the Flame of Hope continued to burn. However, the oil embargo of 1973 brought public pressure to extinguish the flame as an energy-saving measure. On November 20, 1973, the flame was extinguished over the objections of those who feared for a loss of awareness of those servicemen who were left behind. A decade passed before members of the "They're Not Forgotten" committe were successful in stirring public concern when very few remains of missing Americans had been returned and over 2400 Americans remained in an unaccounted status. Their campaign succeeded on March 25, 1984 when the Flame of Hope was reignated.
On May 1, 1994, the Flame of Hope was rededicated
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 5, 2013
2. The Flame of Hope and Marker
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1973.
Location. 36° 49.023′ N, 76° 0.462′ W. Memorial is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is in Oceana Naval Air Station. It can be reached from Oceana Boulevard (State Road 615) south of Bells Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Virginia Beach VA 23454, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads, specifically in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Tidewater, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically,
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 5, 2013
3. The Flame of Hope
* See nearby Markers
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Flame Of Hope (a few steps from this marker); Tree of Hope (within shouting distance of this marker); Eastern Shore Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); State Military Reservation (approx. 1.4 miles away); Miyazaki Japanese Garden (approx. 1.9 miles away); Azumaya of Miyazaki Garden (approx. 1.9 miles away); Japanese Maple Tree (approx. 1.9 miles away); Peace Monument (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia Beach.
Additional commentary.
1. The Flame of Hope Memorial
is located on Oceana Boulevard just outside the Oceana Naval Air Station main gate. The park is dedicated to the memory of Prisoners of War, Missing in Action and those killed in the service of their country. The Flame of Hope itself is lit at all times to light the way for these brave young service members to find their way
The Flame of Hope Marker, `
4. Ground Breaking Ceremony
— Submitted November 12, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
The Flame of Hope Marker, `
5. Granite Centerpiece
Lowered Into Place
Lowered Into Place
The Flame of Hope Marker, `
6. Navy Familes
Tackle Landscaping
Tackle Landscaping
The Flame of Hope Marker, `
7. Bronze Flame
An Ineffective Reminder
An Ineffective Reminder
The Flame of Hope Marker, `
8. Flame Transferred to
NAS Oceana Chapel During
1973 Oil Embargo
NAS Oceana Chapel During
1973 Oil Embargo
The Flame of Hope Marker, `
9. Flame Of Hope Burns Again!
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 5, 2013
10. The Flame of Hope Marker located at Memorial Park on Oceana Boulevard (State Road 615)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,080 times since then and 173 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on November 12, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
