Does anyone else find the "Eternal flame" at Arlington a little suspect?

[MisterKirisame]

I went to Arlington national cemetery today as part of our freshman class trip to D.C.

One of the things we went to was the Eternal flame, which they claim has been burning for about 50 years, constantly. I believe they have another one at Hiroshima.

Anyways...is that even possible? I suppose they could have a supply of fuel underground, but in that case, wouldn't it be a constantly renewing flame, as opposed to the same one? And it's clearly exposed to the rain.

I may be reading too much into it, perhaps it's not meant to be taken literally.

Thoughts?

[Ad Bot]

[Jetlok]

the what.

[Jubel]

It is a suspect.

[Stocking]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_Eternal_Flame#Operation_of_the_site

[Night Fox]

there is one in Battery Park

[MisterKirisame]

So it went out a few times, but still impressive it wasn't more.

[fred da kiko]

oil travels up the wick and burns, not the actual wick. if you keep they oil refilled then the flame keeps burning. you will occasionally need to redo the wick but you can keep the remaining wick burning and use it to light the other wick.