The Flame of Liberty Memorial draws together three elements: the Statue of Liberty, an eternal flame, and a Soldier's Cross. The Statue of Liberty represents the national ideal of freedom and liberty in America, and her constantly lit torch inspired the memorial's flame sculpture. The eternal flame has long been used to honor heroes and keep their memory alive through a flame that burns continuously throughout night and day, while the image of a torch or flame has widely symbolized honor and remembrance. The Soldier's Cross originated on battlefields as a way to identify soldiers where they fell in defense of liberty, and over time the act of placing an inverted rifle in the ground with a helmet on top became a ritual of honor and remembrance for those who gave their lives in service to the country. In this sculpture, a Soldier's Cross stands inside the flame as its emotional center, the amber glass panels form a veil between the living and those who served in the past, and a hanging dog tag emphasizes that each act of service and sacrifice belonged to a single individual. Together these symbols express love of country and appreciation for veterans who sacrificed for the liberty held dear in America.