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2016-2017 Flag/From the front page Board of Directors President: Stephanie Butler history’s darkest moments Hitler. The Imperial War versed you can see at the Vice Presidents: Lydia Espinoza and its relation to current Flag is an official military top a label printed in faint and Roxy White Ornelas generations. When the banner that’s been used by gray across the white trim- photo was posted the mu- the German army since the ming: OZ Reichskriegsllg Treasurer: Nicholas Teel seum staff had no idea mid-19th century that 3x5. It was common for Secretary: Erin Fletcher Singley Lisa Abbate where this flag came from would bear the coat of the German military to put Virginia (Ginny) Ball and regrettably had no sto- arms and national colors; a seal of approval on their Virginia Boles ry to connect with the post, this type of flag was used products, such as the Joseph Dmohowski leaving it open to debate. for the last time after the Waffenamt Code that were Judi Henderson fall of the Third Reich in regulated by the German In order to understand Paul Moore 1945. The Nazi war flag Army Weapons Agency. Sean Thomsen the complete history of our was first raised in 1935 Aaron confirmed that Nicholas Edmeier Nazi flag and its arrival in outside the Bendlerblock “Reichskriegsllg” was an Lorayne Horka the U.S., I first consulted Building in which abbreviation for Cassidy Russell with an expert on Nazi his- Leslie Wilson was the headquarters for Reichskriegsflagge. The tory from the Simon Wie- John Garside the , the Nazi accompanying numbers senthal Center and to get Navy. Because of this it is 3x5 were revealed to be an opinion about our Face- often referred to as a navy the flag’s exact measure- Bailey House Coordinator book post. I met with Aa- flag when it was actually ments in meters. The Tracy Wittman ron Breitbart, a 33-year used by all divisions of the Reichskriegsflagge had to researcher and history Executive Director German military, including be produced the exact teacher with the Museum Tim Traeger the Heer (army) and Luft- same size every time be- of Tolerance who was kind waffe (air force). The cause it was always raised enough to meet with me Office Manager Reichskriegsflagge is also at the soldiers’ barracks. Kyle Smith and lend his expertise for known for being the flag Unfortunately finding out our benefit. Together we looked at photos of the flag new recruits would swear what OZ stands for has been difficult, especially and he proceeded to tell their allegiance to Hitler Whittier Museum’s and the Third Reich when since the majority of this me everything he knew Key Patrons 2015- joining the Nazi Party. print has been smudged. about what kind of flag we BCM Foundation This is most likely an ab- Ceres Foundation owned, along with other The Whittier Museum’s breviation for the particu- The City of Whittier important details. By the flag is the second version lar company that produced Employees Community Fund end of our meeting Aaron first used in 1938; the two Of Boeing California expressed his appreciation the flag. Don Knabe, LA County designs are distinguished Supervisor 4th District for our post and became by the change in the thick- However, the smallest National Charity League very interested in the pro- ness of white and black on piece of evidence that can Ralph M. Parsons Foundation gress that would follow. the Nordic cross around be missed is located next Southern California Edison The Nazi flag we have the . After the de- to the 3x5. Handwritten in Robert & Virginia (Ginny) Ball feat of the Nazis it was faint brown, almost faded Rev. Tom & Virginia Boles is one of two designs common for soldiers to away, is the word Bob & Judi Henderson called a take home spoils of war “Strasbourg.” Strasbourg is Sylvia Foltz Reichskriegsflagge, the Dolores Gonzalez-Hayes German Imperial War ranging from flags, weap- one of the largest cities on Barbara & Don L. Jenkins ons, uniforms, etc. the French and German Ralph & Jeanne Muhlestein Flag, one that was person- Erika Owens ally designed by Adolf When the flag is re- Flag/Page 3

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