Reigniting the flame

The eternal flame at the War Veterans Monument that sits on the Early County Courthouse lawn was diminished during Hurricane Michael in 2018. For well over a year after the dim lantern was pointed out to me – it was all I could see every time I looked out of my office window. I remember thinking, “That’s just bad energy and nothing good can come from an unlit eternal flame” – especially one in the heart of the community.

Towards the beginning of 2024, I made an internal goal that the flame would be burning again by Veterans Day. There were a lot of other people in the community other than myself who really wanted to see the eternal flame relit – and that added even more fuel to the mission.

A few days before Veterans Day, several of the City of Blakely and Early County staff members, along with myself, watched as the switch was flipped and the flame once again burned on the Historic Courthouse lawn.

I will never forget it. It was a Thursday right around noon and Rotary was preparing to meet. Mr. Robert Collier stood in the lobby of the Alexander Building. I ran up to tell him about the eternal flame being relit after so many years. Since Mr. Robert was very “hard of hearing” – I began pointing towards the monument. Immediately, a grin spread across his face and he said: “It’s finally burning again.”

Reflecting over this past year – Mr. Robert’s statement feels like it meant a lot more than having the physical flame relit.

I can honestly say that last Veterans Day was one of the best memories to have in Early County history. Early County veterans and patriots gathered on the Courthouse lawn for a commemorative program that honored all Early County War Veterans – and I was glad to be there for it.

Once again, I have found the reality is that economic development isn’t just about policies or infrastructure — it’s about people and those things that motivate them to desire the best version of the community and work towards creating it. When we feel passionate about our community’s future, we become more active participants in local growth rather than passive observers.

Communities that lose a sense of momentum somewhere along the way suffer from low morale and disconnection. A passionate community radiates confidence and optimism — all qualities that attract investors, tourists and innovators. When positive energy is present, economic growth can follow naturally. Others quickly recognize when the community believes in itself and when it does not.

Ultimately, this figurative “reigniting the flame in the heart of the community” is about restoring hope and purpose — key driving forces in sustainable development. Without “the fire,” progress typically stalls out; however, when it finally reignites – the community can quickly rise again.

My community development hope for Early County this Veterans Day and all the days ahead is that the flame never stops burning no matter how many storms pass through.

Published in the Early County News on November 11, 2025.