The Center’s Flame Logo
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| The Center keeps Freedom’s Flame burning by ensuring our Nation is strong and prepared. |
Throughout history the flame has symbolized life and the rise from ignorance to knowledge. Whether it is a single candle lit for a religious remembrance or the Olympic Torch illuminating the entire world, the image of the flame connotes perseverance and unwavering determination.
One of the earliest parables dealing with the symbolic meaning of fire is the story of Prometheus, the god who defied Zeus to bring fire to the ancient Greeks and lift them out of darkness. Fire served as the impetus for building the foundation of society, and garnered the symbolic meaning of bringing people out of Socrates allegorical cave and into the enlightened world.
 Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans, born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of these human rights to which this nation has always been committed…  – John F. Kennedy |
These ancient interpretations provide the foundation for the modern understanding of the flames symbolism. One flame whose symbolism has transcended from modern to ancient times is the Olympic torch, which has become a symbol for solidarity among nations, the perseverance needed of victory, and the struggle for perfection.
Bearing high her torch, the Statue of Liberty is the United States most recognizable symbol of freedom and opportunity. This monument to democracy has greeted millions of new Americans and visitors since France presented it to the United States in 1886.
Originally a beacon of freedom and opportunity to the immigrants making their way to Ellis Island it continues to serve as a symbol of freedom and enlightenment for the whole world. During the Cold War, Libertys torch illuminated the way from communism to democracy as it pierced the Iron Curtain. Today that same light now shines into a free Afghanistan and into Iraq as it emerges from the shadow of dictatorship.
We must do everything in our power to see to it that our nation stays the course by supporting the principles of liberty… Long after were gone if we succeed in our noble missionthe lamp of freedom will burn brightly in the minds and hearts of people everywhere. This will be our legacy, one which will forever endure the passage of time. – Ronald Reagan |
By placing the flame on the Centers logo, we dedicate ourselves to a robust national security policy agenda that ensures America remains strong as it continues to be a beacon of freedom throughout the world.
Mr. Gaffney is the host of Secure Freedom Radio, a nationally-syndicated radio program heard weeknights throughout the country. He is an associate author of highly acclaimed Shariah: The Threat to America and the publisher of over a dozen other books and monographs from the Center for Security Policy Press.
In April 1987, Mr. Gaffney was nominated by President Reagan to become the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy, the senior position in the Defense Department with responsibility for policies involving U.S.-USSR relations, nuclear forces, arms control, missile defense policy and U.S.-European defense ties. He acted in that capacity for seven months during which time, he was the Chairman of the prestigious High Level Group, NATO’s senior politico-military committee. He also represented the Secretary of Defense in key U.S.-Soviet negotiations and ministerial meetings.
From August 1983 until November 1987, Mr. Gaffney was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Forces and Arms Control Policy under Assistant Secretary Richard Perle.
From February 1981 to August 1983, Mr. Gaffney was a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, chaired by the late Senator John Tower (R-Texas). And, in the latter 1970’s, Mr. Gaffney served as an aide to the late Senator Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson (D-Washington) in the areas of defense and foreign policy.
Mr. Gaffney holds a Master of Arts degree in International Studies from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.
Mr. Gaffney’s leadership has been recognized by numerous organizations including: the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award (1987), the U.S. Business and Industry Council’s Defender of the National Interest Award (1994), the Navy League of the United States’ Alfred Thayer Mahan Literary Achievement Award (1999), and the Zionist Organization of America’s “Louis Brandeis Award” (2003), the Western Conservative Summit’s Stephen H. Long Award (2015), the Council for National Policy’s George Washington Military Leadership Award (2016) and the IMPACT Award from Ginni Thomas and United in Purpose (2017).
Mr. Gaffney was born in 1953 and resides in the Washington, D.C. area.
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