While people in cities like San Francisco or Boston might think of the flame as an embarrassment, it’s something more than that to us. It’s jobs and tax dollars. It indicates a thriving economy. If that flame is burning, steelworkers say, then it means that Cleveland is doing all right. The flame is very much a part of our history and our identity. It’s a steady reminder that some things can stand the test of time, even in a world where nothing is built to last.
