January — March 2005
Vol. 38 • No. 1 January — March 2005 Issue #185 THERAPEUTIC VEXILLOGRAPHY: A POPULIST TREND IN THE UNITED STATES By John M. Purcell nated in 1917 as envisioned by a thing, however small, to honor their Populist vexillology is an area of former U.S. Army officer, R. L. service personnel, and to feel that considerable interest to flag schol- Queisser of Cleveland, Ohio2 (Figure they are able in this way to symbol- ars, but for the most part it has been 1, page 3) The basic design of the ize their commingled feelings of anxi- defined by flags created for political flag is a white field bordered in red. ety, hope, patriotism, and some- or protest purposes to rally persons One or more five-pointed blue stars times, in the case of the gold star, of like belief to a particular cause, a are placed in the center of the field grief. practice that has become universal to represent the number of persons Another example of therapeutic in nature in recent decades, as tele- serving in the armed forces from a vexillography is the POW/MIA flag vised newscasts continually demon- family, business, or other institu- designed by Norman Rivkees and strate. Notwithstanding, there is tion. In the event of the death of an members of Annin & Company’s another trend in popular vexillology individual on active service, a gold advertising agency in 1971 for the that seems currently to be largely star overlays the blue star to signify National League of Families of Ameri- limited to the United States, a ten- the loss. The gold star is usually can Prisoners and Missing in South- dency that might be called “thera- slightly smaller than the blue star, east Asia. (Figure 2) The now-famil- peutic vexillography,” which appears so it appears to have a blue border. iar black and white flag with its sil- to be a growing phenomenon. The Displayed indoors, the flag is often houette of a member of the armed terminology implies that flags are hung as a banner from a crossbar. forces in what is presumed to be a created by individuals for a particu- The U. S. Department of Defense prison camp represents an attempt lar unhappy circumstance as a way established regulations in Septem- to deal with the traumatic situation of coping with the personal grief that ber, 1996 governing the use and dis- of not knowing whether the armed results from it. Dr. Tracy Pirtle, a play of the flag “for the duration of a forces member who is unaccounted professor of counselor education at period of war or hostilities in which for is a prisoner or has died in an Texas A&M International University, the Armed Forces of the United unknown location. For a grieving alludes to this idea, even though he States are engaged.”3 individual who has no way to deter- does not mention flags per se: The gold star tradition began dur- mine the status of a missing loved “For every war or conflict in which ing World War I when President Continued on page 2 Americans have participated, popu- Woodrow Wilson in 1918 sanctioned lar culture has created a variety of the idea that American women wear January — March 2005 symbols which reflect, refocus, “a gilt star” on black armbands to INSIDE THIS ISSUE: reframe and sometimes redefine the symbolize family members killed in Therapeutic Vexillography reality of these past events. The new the war.4 Display of this flag was symbolic representations (books, widely practiced by the public, and Flags at the Flight 93 Memorial songs, motion pictures, television in later hostilities, especially World Members’ flags Letters miniseries, and etc.) serve as a War II, the custom continued. The Mesa, Arizona Flag Contest psycho-affective novocaine that al- recent Iraqi conflict saw a revival of Flag Cartoons In The News low us to deal with traumatic situa- its use, even flown on city flag poles Vexillological Associations tions in a socially acceptable and for its citizens in combat. The dis- New Fort Worth Flag 1 play of the Service Flag is an effort cathartic way.” Budget Report Roswell NM Perhaps one of the earliest ex- by those not directly involved in war- President’s Letter Chumley amples of this idea in vexillology is fare to feel that they have done some- VexiloBaires 2005 NAVA 39 the National Service Flag that origi- —1— NAVA News 38/1 - #185 Continued from page 1 serve a therapeutic function for the triotic holiday in our lifetime. How one, the display of the POW/MIA flag persons making and displaying traditional icons and rituals are re- assumes a comforting role, a gesture them. Following the September 11, tained or modified, how and why new that something, at least, has been 2001, disaster, the same kind of pro- rituals and icons are introduced, and done to acknowledge the loss. cess took place as more than 60 the representation and usage of the Since its creation, the POW/MIA quilts were created from various pan- American flag in all of this—these are flag has captured the popular imagi- els donated from locations around things we should keenly be observ- nation in the United States, and now the U. S. and the world for display in ing.”11 enjoys a legal status conferred on it Washington, D.C. for several weeks An excellent opportunity to witness by the U. S. Congress, which, on at the Ronald Reagan Building and first-hand the introduction of new August 10, 1990, passed U.S. Pub- International Trade Center. The nar- icons presented itself with the cre- lic Law 101-355, designating it as rative accompanying one of the quilts ation of a temporary memorial to the “the symbol of our Nation’s concern says that the artwork conveys the ill-fated United Airlines Flight 93 and commitment to resolving as fully community’s “sorrow and support in that crashed near Shanksville, Penn- as possible the fates of Americans a direct way.”9 sylvania.12 What strikes the visitor still prisoner, missing and unac- The preceding is by way of back- to the memorial at once is the pro- counted for in Southeast Asia, thus ground to the real thrust of this pa- liferation of flags, but besides the ending the uncertainty for their per. The dreadful events of Septem- scores of U.S. flags, and a number families and the Nation.”5 In 1998 ber 11, causing the destruction of the of other national flags to commemo- Congress passed the Defense Autho- World Trade Center in New York City, rate the nationalities of several pas- rization Act, which designates six a portion of the Pentagon in Wash- sengers from other countries, there days each year when the flag is to ington, D.C., and a crashed aircraft are at least six flags displayed that be displayed at the White House, the near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, cre- are uniquely designed as U.S. Capitol, the Departments of ated a kind of national emotional vexillographic memorials to those State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, trauma, probably not experienced who perished not only in Pennsyl- headquarters of the Selective Service since the attack on Pearl Harbor in vania, but in New York City and System, major military installations Hawaii in 1941. The American pub- Washington, D.C., as well. Five of the as designated by the Secretary of lic reacted in horror and shock, and six flags catch the eye immediately, Defense, all Federal cemeteries, and many felt the need to do something as they fly from the memorial’s top all offices of the U.S. Postal Service.6 to help alleviate the sorrow of those portion. (Figure 3) Research on each In 2002 a further law mandated that most directly affected by the tragedy. of these flags has yielded some in- the flag be flown on a daily basis at Pat Aufderheide, Professor and Di- teresting information. the National Vietnam Veterans Me- rector of the Center for Social Media The first flag, as seen from the right morial, the Korean War Veterans in the School of Communication at (Figure 4), consists of a vertical blue Memorial, and the World War II Me- American University in Washington, bar at the hoist, occupying about morial, and thus by inclusion of D.C., writes, “Therapeutic patriotism one-third of the field. The rest of the World War II, extended its purview was the first response. The therapeu- field has five horizontal stripes, three beyond Southeast Asia, and today tic approach presumes a model of red and two white. On the blue bar is taken by most observers to stand healing, which reflects the realities is a large five-pointed star composed for POWs and MIAs in any theater of emotional stress and recovery.”10 of several elements. Each of the of war. In this respect a great many Ameri- points is made up of ten smaller Psychologist Philip Rieff maintains can flags were displayed, both at white stars grouped evenly around that talking or writing about prob- half-staff and grouped in large dis- a white pentagon. In the center of lems is a way to deal with them.7 By plays, a traditional exhibition of na- the pentagon is a red keystone. The extension, one could include the cre- tional mourning. However, another designer, who remains anonymous, ation of a flag to serve a similar pur- phenomenon occurred, unique in the placed a plaque below the flag with pose. Much the same idea can be American tradition: the creation of an explanation of the flag’s symbol- found in the creation of the so-called new flags to commemorate the events ism.13 The blue color represents the AIDS Quilt, which was conceived in of September 11. sky through which terror struck. The November, 1985, by San Francisco Dr. Scot Guenter foresaw that three red stripes symbolize the sites gay rights activist Cleve Jones, and something of the sort might happen where blood was spilled by the ter- begun in June, 1987.8 The quilt is when he exhorted the 2002 NAVA rorists, and the two white stripes composed of individual squares de- Meeting with the following words: stand for the fallen twin towers. The signed by family or friends of a per- “As scholars with sensitivity to the white pentagon represents the Pen- son who has died of AIDS (acquired national flag’s history and evolving tagon building in Washington, D.C., immune deficiency syndrome) and usage in the American society, we are and the red keystone symbolizes the represent facets of the individual’s in the midst of the birth of what could Pennsylvania site. The large star is life. While the quilt squares are not well be the most significant new pa- composed of 50 stars that make one flags, they are a kind of vexilloid, and —2— Continued on page 4 January — March 2005
3. Flight 93 Temporary Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, November 15, 2002. (Photo by John Purcell).
2. POW/MIA Flag. (Image by Rick Wyatt from 1. National Service Flag. (Image by Dave http:// www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags). Martucci).
5. Flight 93 Heros Flag designed by Gene Stilp. (Photo by Kim Denny from http:// www.kimshockey.com/).
4. Design credited to Creative Endeavors of Ohio. (Image from http://www.flag911.com/). 6. September 11, 2001 flag possibly based on the design by Donna Sadler. (Image from http:// www.madmanmike.com/patriotic_911_ flags.html).
7. (Left) The 911 Remembrance Flag and designer Gwen Loiacano. (Photo from http:// 8. The Broken Heart Flag designed by Donna www.remembranceflag.com/). Martin. (Image by David Martucci adapted 9. (Right) Shanksville Memorial Chapel Flag. from http://www.specialweb.com/original/ (Photo http://www.flt93memorialchapel.org/). brokenheartflag.jpg). 10. National Remembrance Flag designed by Stephen and Joan Galvin. (Image from http:/ /www.911remembranceflag.com/).
11. World Trade Center Memorial Flag designed by John Bruno. (Image from http:// 12. The 9-11 Remembrance Flag. (Image from 13. Flag designed in loving memory of 9/11 by www.johnbruno.tv/TheWTCMemorialFlag. http://www.flagsusa.com/). Sophie Rault. (Image by David Martucci). html). —3— NAVA News 38/1 - #185 Continued from page 2 struck. A third white star is just from its center, and three small white large star, “as,” concludes the de- outside the pentagon on the blue five-pointed stars appear to be spill- signer, “we always are in times of circle segment of the upper fly. ing from it. According to the volun- crisis.” Curved over top of the circle in white teer working at the site, the heart is The second flag from the right (Fig- capital letters is the legend, “GOD to represent the broken heart of ure 5), is known as the “Flight 93 BLESS AMERICA.” The flag was de- America, and the three stars stand Hero Flag,” designed by Gene Stilp, signed by Gwen Loiacano, who left for the three sites of the crashes. The a native of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylva- a sign attached below the flag with volunteer thought that the three red nia. The flag is patterned after the the symbolism she ascribes to it. The stripes also symbolized the sites, but U.S. national flag with a blue can- red field symbolizes the lost lives and she had no further information. The ton and 13 red and white stripes. blood shed of Americans past and designer was Donna Martin of The traditional canton is replaced by present. The pentagon and rect- Dawson, Pennsylvania.18 a large white number 93 encircled angles represent three of the most The sixth and final special flag at by 50 white stars. The symbolism is recognized structures ever built on the memorial flies nearby at the com- explained on the flag itself with the U. S. soil. The stars symbolize the memorative chapel, formerly a legend that appears on the top three airplanes needlessly sacrificed, and Lutheran church (Figure 9), together white stripes: “Our nation will/ eter- the single star outside the pentagon with the U.S. and Pennsylvania state nally honor/the heroes of Flight 93.” represents the brave passengers di- flags. This flag is composed of three Stilp displayed the flag in the Penn- verting their plane in Pennsylvania horizontal stripes of blue, white, and sylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg and saving many other lives. The red, with four golden yellow five- in October, 2002, and planned to circle around the pentagon shows pointed stars spaced across the top take it to the capitols of the other unity occurring after the tragedy, stripe. No information about the de- eight states and two nations where and “God Bless America” represents signer or symbolism could be ob- the passengers lived.14 hope and faith of our nation. At tained, but the four stars probably The center flag also follows the Loiacano’s website, she writes, “This represent the four planes that were pattern of the U.S. national flag 9/11 Remembrance Flag was de- used as weapons on that fateful day. closely, with a blue canton and the signed to honor and remember the The flag is flown at another site en 13 red and white stripes (Figure 6). thousands of heroes lost on Septem- route to the chapel and memorial, The canton here, however, shows ber 11, 2001, who knowingly or not leading to the speculation that it is “September 11, 2001” across the top gave up their lives for our freedom. the memorial’s representative flag, in white over what would be three When such a historical event as this but this could not be confirmed. rows of six stars staggered with three takes place, it is our duty as Ameri- That there should be six unique rows of five stars if all were visible. can citizens to ensure that our fu- flags designed to commemorate the Along the bottom of the canton, and ture generations keep these memo- events of one day in American his- obscuring some of the stars, is a ries alive.”16 A documentary film has tory is extraordinary, and clearly white representation of the New York been made of how the flag was de- those flags brought to the memorial City skyline showing the Trade Cen- veloped. This film, according to pro- by outsiders met a need that the ter towers. This flag seems to have motional materials for it, “takes us national flag could not fulfill. This been designed specifically to com- into the homes of surviving family idea calls to mind a comment of an- memorate the loss in New York. It members whose testimonials de- other writer, journalist Barbara has been attributed to Donna Sadler, scribe how Loiacono’s flag comforted Kingsolver, who, as she contem- who also prepared a similar flag as them.”17 Her new flag, thus, acquires plates how to react to the Septem- a pattern for a needlepoint wall a therapeutic role for the present ber 11 tragedy, wonders whether hanging, although the needlepoint generation and an inspirational role black for mourning or red, white, version differs sufficiently in the for future ones. and blue for patriotism is the appro- placement of the stars and the align- The fifth flag, at the extreme left of priate response. Despairing that ment of the skyline, as well as a dif- the memorial, is known as the “Bro- patriotism has too often been appro- ferent motto, that this is somewhat ken Heart Flag” (Figure 8). Similar priated by zealots to further their doubtful.15 in format to the first flag, it has a own purposes, she says, “We desper- The fourth flag is the best docu- vertical blue bar at the hoist occu- ately need a new iconography of pa- mented. (Figure 7) This flag has a red pying about one-third of the field, triotism.”19 Perhaps a similar moti- field with a large blue circle in its and five horizontal stripes, three red, vation, albeit from a different philo- center. Inscribed on the circle is a and two white, in the remainder of sophical viewpoint, impelled the six large white pentagon almost the the field. On the blue bar is a white designers of these flags. same size. On the pentagon are two heart near the top of the hoist, lying Nevertheless, what is even more narrow blue vertical rectangles rep- on its side with the point to the fly. remarkable is the fact that these six resenting the twin Trade Center tow- The heart has a thin blue line repre- flags, unusual as they are in Ameri- ers with a white star on each mark- senting a crack running downwards can vexillology, are not the only flags ing the approximate site they were —4— January — March 2005 to have been produced to commemo- known as the “9-11 Remembrance the tenth and eleventh, thus form- rate September 11. There is, for ex- Flag”22 (Figure 12). The flag has a ing two vertical white columns, rep- ample, the flag designed by Stephen white field with an outline map of resenting the World Trade Center and Joanne Galvin of Wolcott, New Pennsylvania in red. Overlaying that towers again. The six red and five York, known as the “National Re- figure is another composed of five red white stripes add up to eleven, as membrance Flag” (Figure 10). It is a pentagons, one inside the other, rep- do the number of stars in the can- vertical tribar of dark blue, black, resenting the national Pentagon. ton.25 and dark blue. Four large five- Over this figure are large blue nu- One more flag, different from the pointed stars are placed in a circu- merals, “9•11” separated by a blue flags mentioned thus far in its in- lar fashion in the flag’s center, with bullet at the pentagonal figure’s cen- ception, but similar in spirit, is a gi- a point of each star touching a point ter. The figure “11“ is shaped to rep- ant flag measuring 21 by 31 feet in of its neighbor. The top star is also resent the World Trade Center tow- size. This flag was conceived by Tho- dark blue and has a black-and-white ers, each with a thin vertical white mas McBrien, from Bucks County, diagram of the Pentagon in Wash- stripe in its center. Beneath these Pennsylvania, who arranged for a ington, D.C. inscribed on it. A white elements is the legend in blue capi- number of civic groups to sew into star connects to this star on either tal, “REMEMBER,” centered on the one huge flag 3,014 miniature 4-by- side, each of them half on the black state outline’s lower border. Below 6-inch U.S. flags, representing each bar, and half on their respective blue that, and along the bottom of the victim, together with 86 larger bars. A representation of the twin flag, is centered “New York Wash- handpainted flags representing towers of the World Trade Center are ington Pennsylvania” in blue upper- countries that had victims involved shown in miniature on each of the and-lower-case letters. This flag, in the tragedy, as well as the flags of stars. Joining each of these stars among the several preceding flags service groups responding to search below them and directly beneath the that are offered for sale, is the only for victims. The flag has toured to dark blue star is a red star on which purely commercial flag.23 Proceeds various patriotic sites around the the words “Flight 93” appear in from the sale of the others is said by country. Ralph Newton, who ac- black. Underneath the red star along their designers to be donated to vari- cepted the flag on behalf of the De- the bottom of the black bar are the ous charities helping the victims and partment of Defense for its tempo- white figures “9-11-01.” According to families of the 9-11 disaster. In this rary display there, said, “Events and the designers, the blue bars repre- regard it is interesting that Dr. gifts like this are truly a healing ges- sent the blue in the state flags for Guenter foresaw the commercial ture and really have helped in the each state where a plane was aspect in his NAVA address of 2002. healing, and I think will ease the downed: New York, Pennsylvania, “In fact,” he said, “it is probably im- burden of those who remain and in- and Virginia.20 The black bar repre- possible for authentic folk practices still a determination for the work sents the sorrow felt for the loss of to become popular in our society ahead.”26 life. The stars symbolize the four without the impact of If the flags discussed above are any planes that crashed: the blue star, commodification and commercializa- indication, we have perhaps entered for American Airlines Flight 77 at the tion setting in, and institutional a new phase of flag use in the Unit- Pentagon; the white stars for Ameri- forces in the middle adapting and ed States. What began with the Na- can Airlines Flight 11 and United modifying the folk flag practice.”24 tional Service Flag and POW/MIA Airlines Flight 175 at the World In addition to these flags made by Flag as a means for large numbers Trade Center; and the red star for U.S. citizens, there is even another of citizens to show their concern in United Flight 93 at Shanksville, flag designed by Sophie Rault of a general way, and perhaps assuage Pennsylvania. The four stars con- France, which flies at the family it somewhat, with a single flag, has nected at their points represent home in Rostrenen (Figure 13). This developed in a popular display of unity in the United States. flag has a white field with a blue can- many individual flags to fulfill the Another flag, somewhat similar to ton, on which appears a pentagon same function for a single day’s a couple at the Shanksville Memo- made of five white stars between two events, It is difficult to say how long rial, is known as the World Trade vertical rows of three white stars the flags created with so much emo- Center Memorial Flag, designed by each, symbolizing the Pentagon and tion will continue to be a part of our John Bruno, who says that he de- the World Trade Center towers, re- national iconography, and whether signed it on the night of September spectively. On the remainder of the the trend to create new flags as ther- 11, 2001 (Figure 11). This flag is field are three horizontal rows of 9 apy for both designer and viewer will patterned on the U.S. flag, but in the red hearts aligned with the canton, continue in the future should the na- blue canton the stars are removed and three rows of 11 red hearts be- tion face another catastrophe, only and the twin towers of the World low the canton, spaced so that there time will tell. Nevertheless, in an era Trade Center are shown in white.21 is a space between the ninth and of remarkable events, we are wit- Still another flag is offered for sale tenth hearts, and another between nessing remarkable vexillography. by the Flag Supermarket, and is —5— Notes Continued on page 6 NAVA News 38/1 - #185 ANOTHER 911 MEMORIAL FLAG There was at least one other flag displayed at the temporary memorial in Shanksvillle before the visit by John Purcell. It is pic- tured on the web site
NOTES for Therapeutic Vexillology 1. Tracy Pirtle, “Therapeutic Barfing.” 23 Vexillological Association, Denver, Francisco Chronicle, September 25, March 2003,
Mr. Peter J. Turek Salisbury MD USA Description: A quartered white and red field offset to I. Fred Koenigsberg the hoist with a counter-charged blue and white cross bottony on the field and a counter-charged red and white B/W/R W/R/W border. Meaning: The colors of the flag are from the United States flag. The white and red quartered field with the counter-charged red and white border is from the Pol- ish Air Force insignia and represents my Polish ances- try. The cross bottony represent both my state (Mary- land) and the county I grew up in (Howard County, MD). The white cross on the red field and the offset of the cross to the hoist represents my Scandinavian ances- try.
NAVA offers its members a registry of their personal or organizational flags as a service. Please send a line drawing, sketch or other illustration or a photograph for inclusion in the Registry, along with its meaning and symbolism to: NAVA Member Personal Flag Registry, PMB 225, 1977 N Olden Ave Ext, Trenton NJ 08618- 2193 USA. Graphics and photographs in GIF or JPG format may be emailed to [email protected]. Peter J. Turek To the editor, I thought you’d like to know that I have started a Flag Club at Whittier Christian High School in La Habra, California. My room contains every flag from every country in the world, plus many other flags: Canadian provinces, captured Viet Cong flags, etc. We have just created a flag for our school, based upon the school crest. I think that my flag collection, our club, and the new school flag would be great publicity for your or- ganization. Thank you, Glen A. Chandler [email protected] —7— NAVA News 38/1 - #185 A FLAG FOR MESA, ARIZONA Ted Kaye When Paul Giblin, columnist and bine to make it expensive to manu- NAVA assembled a panel of judges, assistant city editor for the East Val- facture and difficult to decipher at representing a broad spectrum of ley Tribune in Mesa, Arizona, first any distance. Giblin knew he had an flag-design expertise, to work on this saw the results of NAVA’s American opportunity—Mesa needed a flag; es- project, describing its members as: City Flag Survey, he did what any pecially as the next year it planned Peter Ansoff, NAVA president, Al- reporter would do: he called city hall. to host the annual meeting of the exandria VA, expert on the First After all, Mesa’s flag had finished in League of Arizona Cities and Towns. Navy Jack. the cellar—its 1.73 points ranked it Using his bully pulpit, in early No- Deveraux Cannon, attorney, 146th out of the 150 cities surveyed. vember, 2004, he unfurled the “Great Nashville TN, author of numer- But to his surprise, instead of de- Mesa Flag Contest…to fill the cen- ous books and articles on Civil fending the poor design, the mayor’s tury-old void in the flagless city”. He War flags. spokeswoman had an unusual re- invited the readers of the East Val- David Martucci, flag appraiser, sponse: She disputed the results on ley Tribune to submit designs for a Washington ME, editor of NAVA’s the basis that the city didn’t HAVE city flag, with no reward but glory. newsletter. official flag, saying “Whatever they The contest listed NAVA’s five basic Mason Kaye, college student, Los rated us on doesn’t fall under the flag design principles: simplicity, Angeles CA, winner of NAVA’s classification of a flag”. It turned out meaningful symbolism, few colors, 1999 Driver Award for flag schol- that the flag that officials in Arizona’s no lettering/seals, and distinctive- arship. third-largest city had supplied to ness. Ted Kaye, financial executive, NAVA researchers during the com- As the proposals poured in, the Tri- Portland OR, author of Good Flag, pilation of American City Flags bune posted them on its website. The Bad Flag. (Raven 9/10 2003-04) was actually designers ranged from grade-school Peter Orenski, lapel-flag manu- just a banner that Mesa representa- students (many had created them as facturer, New Milford CT, orga- tives used as a backdrop at promo- class projects), to design profession- nizer of New Milford’s flag design tional events. als and retirees. Most came from contest. Mesa, others from surrounding John Purcell, retired professor of towns. The 131 designs submitted Spanish education, Cincinnati ranged widely in theme and quality. OH, principal author of American While most used the common sym- City Flags. bols of mesa, sun, and cactus, some After the submission deadline, the wilder images appeared, such as NAVA judges culled the original de- rattlesnakes, coyotes, stripes, and signs and a final 24 were rendered stars. One depicted a British Airways into consistent artwork. In many jet flying over a horse-drawn wagon, cases words on the designs were re- another an Apache helicopter shoot- moved, some colors shifted, concepts ing flaming crosses. simplified, and other minor changes Giblin contacted NAVA to check out Giblin then took two important made to make designs more competi- the story, and indeed American City steps that would assure the success tive yet retain the spirit of their art- Flags noted “the flag (or ‘banner’) is of his effort. He approached Mayor ists. Judges awarded each design a displayed only in the lobby of the mu- Keno Harker, who said he would “give score on a 0-10 scale for compara- nicipal building and in city booths favorable consideration to a public bility to city flag scores from the 2004 at job fairs and has not actually been hearing of the contest’s results dur- NAVA survey. In the tradition of the flown out of doors….whether the flag ing an upcoming city council meet- Olympics, the highest and lowest or any of its elements have been offi- ing”. That ensured that the contest score for each design were discarded, cially adopted is not known.” Good would likely result in real change (it with the average of the central scores thing—as a flag, the design suffers is on this point that many newspa- determining the overall score. from a large amount of white space, per flag contests fail). And he asked All of the finalist designs followed complex design, use of lettering, and NAVA to help select the finalist flags. basic flag design principles; the most gradient coloring, which would com- common symbols were a mesa, a —8— January — March 2005 sun, a symbolic “M”, and a saguaro The highest-polling design (T) re- eight families from Utah to Arizona cactus. One, a composite of two en- ceived 2,733 points, over twice what in 1877 and whose encampment be- tries, depicted the “Kokopelli” figure, second place received and 23% of the came Mesa the next year. He at- a traditional native image of a hunch- total points. The next three designs tended the National Academy of Fine backed flute player. Another simply finished very close together, with 9- Arts and paints oils, illustrates divided the field diagonally with blue, 10% each. The top four garnered over books, and designs homes. He re- green, and white triangles. One de- half of the points—an amazing con- ported “My wife said, ‘You’re a de- sign (X) strongly resembled the flag sensus among 24 designs. The signer. Go ahead and design a of Macedonia, prompting the nick- centerfold shows each design with flag’….She just pretty much insisted name “Mesa-donia”, to which the Tri- the NAVA score and the Mesa votes, I do it.” His design represents Mesa bune teased “Oh, those vexillologists as well as its ranking by Mesa vot- “as a shining city on a hill”. are such kidders…everyone knows ers. Rebekah Matthews, 14 and a life- that Macedonia’s flag is yellow and long Mesa resident, made the fourth- red, not yellow and blue. Plus, place design (S). Along with the ubiq- Macedonia’s sunburst has eight rays, uitous sun and saguaro, she in- not six.” cluded a circular motif to evoke the Any of the 24 finalists could make city’s citrus industry. The eighth- a successful city flag, so judging was grader at Mesa Junior High School especially difficult. In fact, with NAVA said “I do a lot of art…I paint, I draw, scores ranging from 5.1 to 9.3, nearly I do just about everything that has all would have placed among the top to do with art.” She wants to learn 20 U.S. city flags in the 2004 survey more about opportunities in the art (where the cut-off was 6.8 points). The winning design shows a yel- and design fields; how wonderful to The Tribune then offered the final- low mesa (which could double as an be recognized in this way! ists up for its readers’ vote in Decem- “M”) under a blue sky, with a blue With so many flags in the running, ber, under the headline “The Great saguaro cactus against a rayed sun it is not surprising that the reader Mesa Flag Contest”. The ballots rising over the mesa. Its original ver- voting and the NAVA scoring did not asked readers to list their first-, sec- sion also had a counterchanged bor- match exactly, although three de- ond-, and third-place selections, and der which NAVA’s artist (Peter signs landed in both groups’ top five. to mail them in, one per envelope. Orenski) removed for simplicity. It Overall, there was general correlation Readers cast 1,357 ballots by the was designed by Mary Jean Crider between the opinions. Big disagree- January deadline, most from Mesa, of Mesa, 68, a retired elementary- ments included E, the NAVA panel’s but some from surrounding towns school teacher. She and her husband second choice which landed in 17th and as far away as Seattle, Wash- had once been among Arizona’s “le- place among Mesa voters, and P, ington. gion of winter residents”, according which came in 6th place among the There didn’t seem to be much bal- to the Tribune, but eventually moved Mesa voters but was the NAVA lot-box stuffing, according to Giblin, to Mesa for good eight years ago. She panel’s 19th choice. The popular vote who opened the envelopes and created four variant design propos- seemed to trend to more literal im- counted them himself in a Tribune als, cut precisely from colored paper. agery. conference room. To adequately rec- “I just cut them out and pasted them Giblin kept Mesa residents in- ognize alternative selections, he on”, she reported. The stylized “M” formed through frequent updates in awarded 5 points for first place, 3 was inadvertent. his column and on the paper’s points for second place, and 1 point Shirley DeLaet, 58, created the sec- website. Pleased with the results, he for third place. He joked that there ond-place design (U). A part-time art- presented the four highest-polling was less bloodshed in his election ist, she has lived in Mesa for 3 years flags and their designers at a city than in Afghanistan’s or Iraq’s. and works as a design consultant for council meeting. Staff recommended One flag, the unusual design with an art and furniture store in Mesa. accepting the winning flag, but con- a central symbol resembling an as- She called her design “Sunny Mesa”, sidered altering the colors to match terisk or snowflake (K), did appear inspired by the Arizona sunrise. “The the current city logo. The design was to have received multiple ballots from early morning sun is what really gets made final when NAVA member Rich the same source—identical down to me, and I can visualize it every morn- Kenney sent Mesa officials a full-size the photocopied coffee stain, but it ing stretching out over Mesa. When version of the winning design in the still only finished in 8th place. It had I see it, I know it’s going to me an- original colors. The city council been included as finalist as it was a other great day. Can you tell I love it quickly adopted it as the official (first) sound design that differed signifi- here?” flag of Mesa on March 7th. NAVA has cantly from the prevailing themes. The third-place design (G) came delivered a formal report to the Tri- Giblin said it “would look terrific as from Wayne E. Jones, 77, the great- bune and extended congratulations the logo of a Canadian minor-league grandson of Daniel Webster Jones, to the newspaper and to the citizens hockey team”. the Mormon missionary who led of Mesa. —9— And the Winner is ... MESA, ARIZONA!
Flag per Readers’ NAVA Name of Contest Rank (Points) Score Designer A 11 (423) 8.3 Mary Dernik B 12 (405) 6.8 Dolores Kohler C 19 (113) 6.8 Nancy Rinehimer D 9 (431) 8.5 Nicholas Dudley & Russell Paperman E 17 (128) 9.1 Myles Uttke F 5 805) 9.3 Sandi Matthews G 3 (1,153) 7.8 Wayne Jones H 10 (423) 6.7 Shawnah Wilcock I 16 (139) 6.6 Charlene Cashatt J 14 (199) 7.4 Gwen Callahan K 8 (473) 5.7 Tommy Fox L 21 (104) 7.2 Claudia Beltran M 24 (32) 5.1 Glenn Young N 23 (53) 6.0 Celenn Ramsay O 20 (104) 6.2 Ulysses Cosio P 6 (546) 6.5 Cindy Kustwan Q 15 (185) 6.6 John Manick R 18 (127) 6.4 Weston Stewart T - Mary Jean Crider S 4 (1,105) 7.8 Rebekah Matthews 1 T 1 (2,733) 8.5 Mary Jean Crider Officially Adopted March 7, 2005 U 2 (1,180) 8.4 Shirley DeLaet V 13 (334) 7.9 Russell Paperman W 7 (480) 8.2 Tony Dominguez & Troy Curtis The Finalists … X 22 (80) 6.6 Steven Rawlings
A - Mary Dernik B - Dolores Kohler C - Nancy Rinehimer D - Nicholas Dudley & Russell Paperman
E - Myles Uttke F - Sandi Matthews G - Wayne Jones 3 H - Shawnah Wilcock
I - Charlene Cashatt J - Gwen Callahan K - Tommy Fox L - Claudia Beltran
M - Glenn Young N - Celenn Ramsay O - Ulysses Cosio P - Cindy Kustwan
Q - John Manick R - Weston Stewart S - Rebekah Matthews 4 U - Shirley DeLaet 2
Vol. 38 • No. 1 January — March 2005 Issue #185 V - Russell Paperman W - Tony Dominguez X - Steven Rawlings & Troy Curtis NAVA News 38/1 - #185 IN THE NEWS ...
FLAG CARTOONS! Dave Martucci As always, important events of the day are often the Tom Toles subject matter of editorial cartoonists. Known generically Washington as “editorial” cartoons, the major newspapers and web Post sites often retain top artists who regularly produce com- Washington, mentaries in pictures. Flags, of course, sometimes figure D.C. 11/14/ in these commentaries, often very significantly. Here are 2004 a few recent examples. The first cartoon presented here is by Tom Toles, who draws for the Washington Post. It followed the election and is a direct commentary on the political division obvious in the United States in that election. US citizens are familiar with the “red” and “blue” states colored in maps presented by the news media, standing respectively for those that voted Republican and those that voted Democratic. In this cartoon, we see those general areas displaying disparate pieces of the Star Spangled Banner, the blue with the stars
Mike Lester Rome News-Tribune Rome, Georgia 1/20/2005 Mike Lane The Baltimore Sun Dick Locher Baltimore, Maryland Chicago Tribune 11/9/2004 Chicago, Illinois 1/21/2005 (interestingly here in a 3-2-3-2-3 thirteen-star arrange- ment) for the blue states, and the red and white stripes for the red states (but only nine stripes!). In the next cartoon, by Dick Locher of the Chicago Tri- bune, is a commentary on the controversy over the words “under God,” added to the Pledge of Allegience in the 1950s. The Supreme Court has since ruled that government-spon- sored prayers in public schools violate the “establishment clause” of the US Constitution. The cartoon illustrates the crux of the question: is a religious reference appropriate in a government-endorsed statement of the fundamen- tals of American citizenship? The recent flap in Britain over the wearing of a Nazi Harry is wearing symbols that many people find of- uniform by Prince Harry to a costume party is the subject fensive, while at the same time he himself is wearing of the next cartoon by Mike Lester of the Rome, Georgia, a Confederate flag, which many Americans find al- News-Tribune. The man in the cartoon is shocked that most as offensive as a swastika. In fact, the man in —12— January — March 2005 this presentation has three CSA flags on his cloth- ing, his T-shirt, hat and belt buckle. Mike Lane of the Baltimore Sun depicts a mod- ern Betsy Ross busy sewing away next to a portrait of President Bush. This cartoon appeared the day after the Presidental election. Conservative Chris- tians, who overwhelmingly supported Bush in the election, view religiousness as an essential compo- nent of patriotism. The juxtaposition of patriotic symbols (Betsy Ross and the flag) with the religious symbol of the cross underscores the conflicting views of the relationship between religion and civil government in the United States. Next is a commentary by Etta Hulme of the Forth Worth, Texas, Star-Telegram about the recent move by the Republican majority in the US Congress to change the rules specifically to protect Represen- tative Tom Delay of Texas, the House Majority Etta Hulme Leader, who is facing an ethics investigation. It Forth Worth Star-Telegram shows Republicans on top the US Capitol flying a Fort Worth, Texas 1/9/2005 flag bearing an elephant, their party’s symbol. Of course, the war in Iraq drew the most com- mentaries. Here are just two of many cartoons on that subject, many of which feature flags. The first is by Bob Gorrell, who draws for America Online. Here he gives the “official” instructions for using the ballot in the upcoming Iraqi elections as a flag of truce. The violence and bloodshed in Iraq was also the subject for Alen Lauzan Falcon of caglecartoons.com’s “Best of Latin America” series. Here we see the red stripe of the Iraqi flag dripping with blood all over the rest of the flag. Natural events were also noted in the cartoons. In early 2005, an unusual amount of rain inun- dated California, causing mudslides, floods, and other problems. Michael Ramirez of the Los Ange- les Times replaced the spear in the hand of the god- Bob Gorrell dess Minerva with an umbrella on the State Seal America Online while on the State Flag, Daryl Cagle of the Internet Dulles, Virginia news web site Slate.com gave an umbrella to the 1/12/2005 bear, who looks quite fed up with the weather! Flags are featured in editorial cartoons very fre- quently. They are an excellent graphic that causes immediate recognition and emotion in the context of a simple direct image that comments on the events of the day.
Daryl Cagle Slate.com 2/24/2005
Michael Ramirez Alen Lauzan Falcon Los Angeles Times caglecartoons.com Los Angeles, California “Best of Latin America” 2/24/2005 1/23/2005 —13— NAVA News 38/1 - #185 VEXILLOLOGICAL ASSOCIATIONS AND JOURNALS Many NAVA members enjoy receiving periodicals from other flag-oriented groups, usually by joining each association. NAVA News will occasionally publish subscription/membership information on such groups to help NAVA members expand their flag libraries and personal networks. All of the groups listed here publish fine and rewarding newsletters, journals, or bulletins, generally in languages other than English. BRITTANY SPAIN GERMANY
Kevarzhe Vannielouriezh Vreizh / Sociedad Española de Vexilologia Deutsche Gesellschaft für KVV Gaceta de Banderas Flaggenkunde e.V. Société Bretonne de Vexillologie / 8 issues/year, 4-6 pages/issue, Der Flaggenkurier SBV published jointly with the Centre 2 issues/year, 32-48 pages/issue Ar Banniel (“the Banner”) Belgo-Européen d’Etudes des Membership: (mainly in French with some Drapeaux. Ordinary Europe EUR 30/year articles in Breton) Ordinary Outside of Europe EUR 3 issues/year, 18 pages/issue 35/year Membership: send cash or cheque in Euro to: Individual member EUR 25 per year Deutsche Gesellschaft für Student member EUR 10 per year Flaggenkunde e.V. Corporate member EUR 50 per year PF 1115, D-28817 Achim, Germany send fee (cash, check, or flag*) to : www.flaggenkunde.de; Alain RAULLET Banderas [email protected] P.O. Box 4427 4 issues/year, 30-180 pages/issue 22044 Sant-BRIEG 2 Membership (outside Spain): EUR BRITTANY - France 36/year SCANDINAVIA email: [email protected] Send Visa/Mastercard info (Name, * Alain will pay your fee in return for Card No., & Exp. Date) to: sending him a flag of your choice Jose Luis Brugues Alonso, (“please try to be imaginative”) 1 x1.5 Treasurer m. in size, of a value approximating the C./ Juan Vigón, 17 fee according to your member status E-28003 Madrid, SPAIN (i.e. EUR 25 , EUR 10, or EUR 50) [email protected] Nordisk Flagselskab Nordisk Flaggkontakt Attend the 21st International Congress of Vexillology: 2 issues/year, about 50 pages/ issue VEXILOBAIRES 2005 - X X I I C V Subscriptions: SEK 250 or USD 35/ BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA year Send cash or transfer money 1-5 AUGUST 2005 (please pay all banking charges) to: Please visit the web page http://www.funcidec.org.ar Nordiska Flaggsällskapet or write to: Centro Interdisciplinario de Estudios c/o Treasurer Anki Rosenberg Culturales - Fundación C.I.D.E.C., Paraguay 2068 - 1º Tidaflagg AB “B”, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Telephone: (5411) 4961-9202. Box 16 The deadline for submitting paper proposals (title and abstract) to the organiz- SE-522 21 Tidaholm, Sweden ing committee is 1 May 2005. For those papers accepted, the deadline for sub- Nordea Bank Sverige AB mission of the full text and images (in electronic form) is 1 June 2005. For more IBAN number SE 75 9500 0099 6018 information, e-mail Prof. Aníbal Gotelli, president of the Organizing Comittee, at: 0283 4745 [email protected]. Please consider attending and strengthening the NAVA contingent in our own SWIFT (BIC-kod) NDEASESS hemisphere! Contact Gus Tracchia, NAVA’s liaison to the Organizing Committee E-mail: treasurer with your questions (gustracc@ aol.com, 718-847-2616).
THE CANADIAN FLAG ASSOCIATION L’Association canadienne de vexillology
50 Heathfield Drive, Toronto, ON, M1M 3B1 Canada tel. 416-267-9618
The Latest City News for Monday, July 6, 2004 FORT WORTH Nov. 14/04 North American Vexillological Association BOASTS NEW PMB 225 1977 N. Olden Ave. Ext. Trenton, NJ 08618 CITY FLAG Attention: President Peter Ansoff In June, the Fort Worth City Coun- cil adopted a new city flag that in- Dear Peter, corporates “Molly”—Fort Worth’s of- On behalf of our organization, the Canadian Flag Association and its members, we wish to ficial logo since 1999. thank our American sister organization, NAVA, for the donation to our cause given so readily City departments will begin flying in CFA’s time of financial need. the “Molly” design July 6. All of the city’s old flags were retired July 3 to We are especially grateful to NAVA’s Executive Board members, for their thoughtfulness, prevent simultaneously flying old support, comradeship, s"¤idarity,!I.d generosity in even considering this course of action. and new designs. THANK YOU ALL! The new flag replaces all previous Our best wishes to the Board for NAVA’s success in the coming year. city flags, with the last one in use since 1968. The old flag—three hori- sincerely, zontal stripes and bold white letter- ing—was designed by commercial artist Richard Pruitt as part of a competition sponsored by the Fort Linda J. Dean, Secretary of CFA Worth City Council in concert with the City Arts Commission. http://www.fortworthgov.org/ And Kevin Harrington, CFA President and editor of CFA publications cmo/pio/citypage/2004/ cp2004706.asp#3 Editor’s Note: The flag is white with a brown steer head and the city’s name in dark blue letters.
To All NAVA Members, of the major cities of the U.S. opened This has been a good answer to that Hats off to you! And to all of the the study of vexillology to a broad, pompous attitude we see so often survey team. yet local level, reaching people where that “any flag will do, just stick it in The State, Provincial, & Territory they live. Secondly, the survey on the the corner.” flag survey was a great idea, excel- reaction of people in comparing the That flags make a difference and lently done, and had wonderful re- flags raised this study to a deeper are important is part of the vital core sults. It was close to my heart since and significant examination of the of NAVA. Nothing NAVA has done I have been working with Minnesota function of flags. before has reached so many people, legislators and citizens to bring our That is, the publication of the flag advertised our existence so widely, flag within the principles of flag de- is a pat on the back, showing the and shown clearly that the subject sign and something meaningful for symbol people have chosen to the of our interest has value, and is a our citizens. whole world. The following survey lot more than the hobby of a few ec- But this pales compared with the was a critique, that by position on centrics. city survey. The one-two plan was the favorable-unfavorable list This is NAVA at its best. brilliant. First, the fact gathering and showed many their flag is really is So once again, congratulations. publication in the Raven of the flags important and makes a difference. Lee Herold —15— NAVA News 38/1 - #185 NORTH AMERICAN VEXILLOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION TREASURER’S REPORT Budget Summary Ted Kaye Summary U.S. Dollars 2004 2005 In 2004, NAVA ran a small surplus, meeting our budgeted goal of break- BUDGET ACTUAL BUDGET ing even. NAVA is in solid financial shape with strong reserves. INCOME 2004 Results Dues 12,000 11,122 12,000 There are several reasons for our Driver Award 250 250 250 2004 success: Misc Sales 1,750 1,212 1,475 1) Through the efforts of the Mem- Ads - - - bership Committee we retained Contributions--Gen’l 500 745 500 Contributions--Cons. - 107 - many members who had lapsed Contributions--Raven - - - in 2003, although we were over- Interest 300 375 375 optimistic in budgeting member- NAVA Mtg. 6,000 352 6,000 ship revenue. 2) Dave Martucci has continued to TOTAL INCOME 20,800 14,163 20,600 drive down the printing costs for NAVA News while increasingly EXPENSES adding color; other publications have been below budget as well. Publications 3) The board continued to find ways NAVA News to trim administrative costs. Layout 2,200 2,200 2,200 4) NAVA 38 in Indianapolis broke Printing 2,800 1,969 2,550 even (note that most revenues Mailing 1,500 1,499 1,500 and expenses are excluded from Total 6,500 5,668 6,250 the actual results, as the orga- RAVEN nizing committee maintained its Layout 2,000 2,000 2,000 own accounts, so total revenues Printing 2,500 2,490 2,500 and expenses are lower than Mailing 500 358 500 budgeted). Total 5,000 4,849 5,000 2005: A Budgeted Surplus The 2005 budget, adopted at the WEBSITE 2004 NAVA annual meeting in India- Fees 500 302 500 napolis, calls for income and ex- DIRECTORY penses resulting in balanced bud- Printing & Mailing 100 2 100 get—actually a surplus, as we’ve provided for a contingency as well. Meetings -- NAVA Mtg. 6,000 352 6,000 It’s essentially a conservative, steady-state budget. It expects some Administration additional revenue from sales of P.O. Box 450 404 450 American City Flags. Mailings / Off. Post 800 790 800 Current Challenges Accounting - - - NAVA’s membership revenue has Supplies 400 439 400 remained flat for several years. As Bank Fees 100 137 150 an organization we need to focus on Insurance - - - growing, not just maintaining. The Telephone 200 - 200 publicity from our City Flag Survey Driver Award 250 250 250 should drive more awareness of Tsfr to Conservation - 107 - NAVA. We must improve our “prod- Contingency 500 - 500 ucts” (mostly, our publications) to 2,700 2,127 2,750 deliver increasing value for member- ship to those who join us in the com- TOTAL EXPENSES 20,800 13,299 20,600 ing years, and through such recruit- ing and retention drive membership Surplus / (Deficit) - 864 - revenue up. UNRESTR. FUND BALANCE 21,679 Please contact me ([email protected]) or any board member with any ques- tions or concerns, or suggestions. —16— January — March 2005 FROM NAVA’S PRESIDENT Dear fellow NAVAites,
As you probably noticed, Issue 184 © 2005 Michael Faul of NAVA News (October-December 2004) was extremely late. This was a Bad Thing in itself, and also had ripple effects on renewal notices and the deadline for Raven submissions. I’m working with the NN editor and the publications committee to set up a firm publication schedule, and to provide for backup when unexpected Chumley the Vexi-Gorilla™ problems arise. You’ll be hearing ... Is the creation of Michael Faul, editor of often blessed by humor’s grace, Mr Faul brings a more about this in future issues. Flagmaster, the distinguished journal of the Flag delightfully light touch, deep vexillological roots, Our webmaster, Jon Radel, has Institute in the United Kingdom. To a field not and sparkling whimsy. had to step down for personal rea- NAVA News sons, and at the moment we don’t Published quarterly by the North have a permanent replacement. American Vexillological Association Those of you who heard my remarks (NAVA), ISSN 1053-3338. Material ap- at NAVA 38 last October know that pearing in NAVA News does not neces- the web site is one of my top priori- sarily reflect the policy or opinion of NAVA, the executive board, or the editor. ties – it is our most widely read “pub- Please send articles, letters to the edi- lication” and needs a steady hand tor, and inquiries concerning advertising at the helm. If you or someone you rates and permission to reprint articles to: know might be interested in taking David Martucci, Editor on that responsibility, please let me 240 Calderwood Rd or one of the other board members Washington ME 04574-3440 USA (207) 845-2857 know. FUTURE [email protected] On a brighter note, planning con- Articles may be submitted in hard copy tinues for NAVA 39, scheduled for VEXILLOLOGISTS or in any Macintosh or PC format (except- the weekend of 7-9 October 2005 in Last January, NAVA President ing Lotus Word Pro) on CDR, or by email. Nashville. We now have a dedicated Peter Ansoff gave an interactive A hard copy showing all formatting pref- web page for the conference (http:/ erences should be submitted. presentation on the history of the NAVA solicits annual bids for format- /nava39.info/, there’s also a link on American Flag to the members of ting, layout, and printing of its publica- the main NAVA page at http:// Girl Scout Troop 1431 from the tions. Please write to the address below www.nava.org). At the NAVA 39 site Arlington Traditional School in for more information. you’ll find a tentative conference Arlington, VA. Each of the scouts Please send copies or originals of any flag-related newspaper and magazine schedule, an application form and wore a placard with the name of other information. We’ll be updat- clippings and all non-NAVA News-related someone who played major role correspondence, including change of ad- ing the site as the dates get closer, in the flag’s history (King James, dress or changes in email status to the so check back often. First Vice- Francis Hopkinson, Peter Association’s permanent address: President and Conference Organizer Wendover, etc.), and also carried NAVA Devereaux Cannon is doing a great the appropriate version of the PMB 225 job of pulling this effort together, and 1977 N Olden Ave Ext flag. Everyone seemed to have Trenton NJ 08618-2193 USA I’m already looking forward to an fun, and the presentation ended [email protected] interesting weekend in “Music City.” with a spontaneous parade. As always, please keep in touch – Visit NAVA on the web at www.nava.org I’m always interested in hearing everyone’s perspectives on what 2004-2005 NAVA OFFICERS President ...... Peter Ansoff ...... [email protected] NAVA is doing (or not doing!) and 1st Vice Pres. .. Dev Cannon ...... [email protected] where we should be headed. 2nd Vice Pres. . Kevin Murray . [email protected] Vexillologically, Secretary ...... Rich Monahan ..... [email protected] Peter Ansoff, President Treasurer ...... Ted Kaye ...... [email protected] [email protected] ©2005 NAVA - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED —17— NAVA News 38/1 - #185 EMBLEMS OF ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO
From the Web
The Flag farming history which also On the afternoon of June serves to inscribe the “City of 13th, 1997, the new flag of Roswell”. the City of Roswell was raised Above the sky is a ancient over city hall. Mayor Thomas Indian Zia sun symbol rep- E. Jennings read a proclama- resenting the sun which is so tion officially dedicating the prominent in New Mexico. City Flag for the pride of all The ancient Native American the citizens of Roswell. design symbolizes the four The competition for the seasons, the four directions, flag’s design and the subse- the four parts of the day quent design process took (morning, noon, evening and over a year to complete. The night), the four phases of life flag’s designer, Stephen (childhood, youth, adulthood Fleming, offers the following and old age) and the never- description of the flag’s em- ending cycle of life. blematic symbolism. mysteries of the universe.” Protruding from the logo is a mes- ”The design of the flag for the City http://www.roswell-usa.com/city/ cal which is a prominent native cac- of Roswell is inspired by the land, flag.htm tus found in and around the local water and sky that surround us here community. in southeastern New Mexico. The The Logo and City Pin The Zia rays divide the sky be- blue field of the flag is representa- The City of Roswell’s logo pin sym- tween day and evening. The evening tive of the vast sky above us and this bolizes many things which are sky is filled and illuminated with same blue forms the mountain of unique and special to Roswell. The stars and the moon and the daytime Capitan, our ever-present compan- pin was designed by a local artist, sky a brilliant blue, both indicative ion in the west. The sun is repre- of the clear skies affording out- sented by the Zia symbol of the standing visibility of the heavens New Mexico state flag reminding and many days of sunshine. us that we are all part of the “Land On the left side of the logo is a of Enchantment”. The stripes in fenced pecan orchard represen- the lower portion of the City of tative of the significant agricul- Roswell Flag are yellow for the tural irrigated lands important in plains of the Pecos Valley; green the early settlement and to the for the agriculture of our region; agricultural based economy of blue for the Pecos River; red for the area. earth beneath our feet. This pat- On the horizon is Capitan tern of stripes also symbolizes the Mountain (sometimes referred to various strata of our subsurface as Blue Mountain) and the desert geology and the precious re- landscape west of Roswell. sources, including water, which In the middle of the design is a are so vital to life here. The green river which is representative of and red stripes also acknowledge the Pecos, Hondo, North Spring, our historical and cultural ties South Spring, and Berrendo Riv- with Mexico and our vibrant His- ers in Roswell. panic heritage. The small white Finally, it is in the shape of an circle in the upper left, positioned unidentified flying object (UFO) along with the stripes at the bot- with beams coming down, cel- tom are reminiscent of the Stars ebrating the famed 1947 “Roswell and Stripes of Old Glory, but also Barb McKee, in consultation with Incident” which made the commu- symbolizes the enigmas of the heav- Mayor Thomas E. Jennings in the nity famous worldwide. ens above us, the challenges of the spring of 1994. http://www.roswell-usa.com/city/ future and the wonder we all expe- The outward loop resembles a rope logo.htm rience when we contemplate the to honor Roswell’s rich ranching and —18— January — March 2005 NAVA ListServ Only for Members Are you interested in staying up- to-date with the latest flag news? NAVA provides members with a ListServ that will let you know about flag-related events, opportunities, information, and publications. Over 200 NAVA members have signed up to receive the e-mail messages. To join, simply e-mail the ListServ man- ager at
CAPTAIN WILLIAM DRIVER AWARD GUIDELINES 1. The Captain William Driver on a flag or flags resulting in traordinary circumstances, the Award was created in 1979 for an advancement of knowledge executive board may recognize the best presentation at the in the field of vexillology. another presentation with the NAVA annual convention. It is b. It should be characterized by designation “Honorable Men- named in honor of Captain Will- thoroughness and accuracy. tion.” iam Driver, who christened the c. It should be well organized 9. As a condition of being consid- United States flag “Old Glory.” and, as appropriate, illus- ered for the award, presenters The award is generously cospon- trated. agree that NAVA has a two-year sored by NAVA Commercial d. It should be delivered well, right of first refusal to publish Members. i.e., interesting for the audi- their presentation in either NAVA 2. The award consists of a certifi- ence as well as informative, News or Raven: A Journal of Vex- cate and US$250. such that it is easily compre- illology. This right of first refusal 3. The executive board shall deter- hendible. extends to both the actual recipi- mine the recipient of the award 5. No presentation may be consid- ent of the award and the remain- based on the criteria given be- ered for the award unless a com- ing nonrecipients. A presenter low. At its discretion, the execu- pleted written text is submitted who desires to have his or her tive board may determine that no in advance of its delivery. presentation published else- presentation delivered at the 6. No single individual may be given where may decline to have the convention has met the criteria the award more frequently than presentation considered for the for the award and decline to give once every three years. award, provided that the pre- an award that year. 7. Because of the conflict of inter- senter makes this fact known 4. The criteria for the award follow, est, current members of the ex- before the presentation is deliv- in descending order of relative ecutive board are ineligible for ered. importance: the award. 10. These guidelines should be dis- a. The presentation should be 8. If at all possible, the executive tributed to presenters in advance an original contribution of re- board shall not give the award of the annual convention. search or theoretical analysis jointly to corecipients. In ex- Approved August 1 1998 —19— NAVA News 38/1 - #185 NAVA 39
OBSERVING THE CENTENNIAL OF THE TENNESSEE FLAG
DESIGN THE NAVA 39 FLAG CALLING ALL VEXILLOGRAPHERS! If you wish If you prefer to send hard copy of your to submit a design for the NAVA 39 meeting flag, design, mail it (postmarked no later please e-mail your submission(s) to 1st Vice Presi- than 15 JUNE 2005) to: dent Devereaux Cannon by 1 JULY 2005. [email protected] Devereaux Cannon c/o Old Republic Title In addition to a color rendering of your flag de- 201 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 150 sign, include your name, address, telephone num- Nashville, TN 37219-2011 USA ber, and email address if available. (615) 244-2101 NAVA 39 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, U.S.A. 7-9 OCTOBER 2005 CALL FOR PAPERS EXHIBIT POLICY If you wish to present a paper or PLEASE SEND A COMPLETE The NAVA Executive Board has set up a display at the 39th AN- COPY OF THE PAPER (in publish- established a policy for exhibits at NUAL MEETING of NAVA (7-9 Oc- able form in both hard copy and elec- NAVA Meetings. tober 2005 in Nashville, Tennessee), tronic file) BY 1 SEPTEMBER 2005. 1) Type and size of exhibit area and/ please mail the following infor- SORRY, PRESENTERS or equipment needed, including mation to 1st Vice President WHO HAVE NOT PRO- tables, electrical requirements, etc. Devereaux Cannon by VIDED THIS COPY WILL must be arranged in advance of the 1 JULY 2005: BE DELETED FROM meeting. 1) Your name, address, tele- THE MEETING SCHED- 2) Only one table will be available phone number, and email ULE. free for NAVA Members who have address if available; non-commercial exhibits. Each 2) Title of paper, presentation, Send to: Devereaux Cannon additional table will cost $10. symposium, workshop or ex- c/o Old Republic Title 3) Commercial Exhibits will be hibit; 201 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 150 charged $10 for each table for 3) Abstract of same; and Nashville, TN 37219-2011 USA members and $20 each for non- 4) Type and size of exhibit (615) 244-2101 members. area and/or equipment Email: [email protected] 4) The best display in commercial needed, including tables, NAVA reserves the right to ac- and non-commercial catagories electrical requirements, AV cept or reject any presentation will be voted on by the members attending and announced at the equipment, etc. without prejudice. close of the convention. The Board See William Driver Award guidelines on page 19 will present the awards. —20—