NO. 202 APRIL—JUNE 2009

NAVANews

www.nava.org

The Quarterly Newsletterof the North AmericanVexillological Association

Venezuela:7 vs. 8 Stars (part 2)

Page 2

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE . . .

Cannon Research Grant . . . . . 1Mystery Flags . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Flags in Action . . . . . . . . . . . .6The Vexillum Project . . . . . . . 7Canadian Regiment’s US Flag . 9United Farm Workers Flag. . . .10Chumley . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Member Flags . . . . . . . . . 13NAVA 43: Charleston, SC . . . 14

Rick’s gracious gift and the creation of theCannon Grant join the Grace Rogers Cooper Grantfor flag conservation and the Driver Award forbest paper at an annual meeting as NAVA’s hall-mark programs for encouraging flag research inNorth America. Few other vexillological associa-tions can count three solid programs that promoteand encourage our common interest. And as withall of NAVA’s operations, your contributions tohelp fund and increase the number of grants arealways welcome.

As always, I welcome your calls and e-mailsbearing your thoughts, issues, and concerns. Onbehalf of the board, thank you for the opportunityto serve and work on such exciting projects!

HUGH BRADY PRESIDENT

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Greetings

NAVA NewsPETER A. ANSOFF, EDITOR

HUGH L. BRADY, EDWARD B. KAYE,JOHN A. LOWE, DAVID B. MARTUCCI

EDITORIAL BOARD

North American Vexillological AssociationFOUNDED 1967

A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF VEXILLOLOGICAL ASSOCIATIONS

HUGH L. BRADY, PRESIDENTGUSTAVO TRACCHIA, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

ANNIE PLATOFF, SECOND VICE PRESIDENTWILLIAM J. TRINKLE, SECRETARYEDWARD B. KAYE, TREASURER

Dear Fellow NAVA Members,

It hardly seems possible that there are just a fewmonths until the annual meeting in Charlestonand the close of the current board’s first yeartogether. It feels just like yesterday that you allentrusted us with the leadership of NAVA in Austinlast fall.

The board has been meeting regularly by phoneto oversee NAVA’s work. Much of that work isroutine: receiving and processing mail, member-ship renewals, paperwork and bookkeeping. Butas I said in my column, I believe that your offi-

cers must “provide for the nextdecade and not merely the nextday.” And they have, with twosignificant efforts deservingspecial attention.

Secretary Bill Trinkle andSecond Vice President Annie

Platoff, together with Webmaster Shane Sievers,have been working diligently on a very ambitiousproject: the digitization of all back issues of NAVANews and Raven. When complete, the NAVAwebsite will provide members and the public withat-the-fingertips access to this library of vexillo-logical material stretching all the way back to1967. (The general public will have access toolder material but newer material will be strictlymembers-only access.) By increasing access, theboard thinks that vexillological research will beboth encouraged and improved and that popularflag myths, debunked by us repeatedly, will witherin the light of day.

Rick Wyatt of CRW Flags, a noted vexillologist inhis own right, has generously offered to under-write a research grant program in honor ofDevereaux Cannon, our late friend and colleague.Annie and Treasurer Ted Kaye crafted and final-ized the guidelines for the Devereaux CannonGrant for research in vexillology to enable theboard to begin publicizing this new program. Thisgrant will encourage flag research by providingsupport for either research or travel expenses—expenses which can often doom research projectsduring the conceptual stages. As they say, “earlymoney is like yeast—it helps the dough rise”.A scholar’s ability to raise small, but significant,amounts early in a project’s stages is a crucialstep in ensuring its completion.

NAVA News 202 (ISSN 1053-3338), April-June 2009, Vol. 42, No. 2

Published quarterly by North American Vexillological Association,

1977 N. Olden Ave. Ext., PMB 225, Trenton, NJ 08618-2193.

A benefit of NAVA membership. Articles, letters, and inquiries about

rates and permissions may be sent to the editorial office.

Editorial Office: NAVA News Editor, 1977 N. Olden Ave. Ext. PMB 225,

Trenton, NJ 08618-2193. navanews@nava.org

Address Changes: Send address changes to NAVA News, 1977 N.

Olden Ave. Ext., PMB 225, Trenton, NJ 08618-2193, or to

sec@nava.org. Members can also update their address in the

Members-Only section of www.nava.org.

© 2009 North American Vexillological Association. All rights reserved.

Views expressed are those of individual authors and may not repre-

sent the views of NAVA, its officers, or the editor.

Contact Hugh Brady: pres@nava.orgHUGHBRADY

Cover photo: Texas flags line the narrow drivethrough the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. Thedrive is actually a state highway (SH 165, theshortest in Texas). In 1994, Lt. Gov. Bob Bullockhad it so designated to make federal transporta-tion funds available to renovate the cemetery asa historic landmark adjacent to a highway.

Call for Proposals/Notice of Meetings

NAVA 43: The next annual meeting of NAVA willbe held in Charleston, S.C., 9-11 Oct. 2009.To volunteer with the organizing committee,please contact Ted Kaye at treas@nava.org.

23 ICV: JAVA (theJapanese VexillologicalAssociation) will host the24th InternationalCongress of Vexillology12-17 July 2009 inYokohama, KanegawaPrefecture. For moreinformation, visit: http://yokohama.fiav.org.

NAVA 44: If your local group would like to hostNAVA 44 (2010), please contact NAVA presidentHugh Brady at pres@nava.org.

24 ICV/NAVA 45: NAVA and the ChesapeakeBay Flag Association will host the 24thInternational Congress of Vexillology in 2011.24 ICV will convene in the Washington, DC area inconjunction with NAVA 45. For more information,contact Peter Ansoff, pastpres@nava.org.

NAVA News · No. 202 · April-June 2009 · 1

MILESTONES

Devereaux CannonResearch Grant Debuts

The Devereaux D. Cannon Grant for research invexillology supports original research in variousaspects of flag design and usage.This $250 award is given on anoccasional basis by NAVA to indi-viduals pursuing research whichadvances vexillological knowledgeand meeting the grant criteria.The grant funds can be applied toeither research expenses or travelexpenses incurred during the con-duct of vexillological research.The grant was established in memory ofDevereaux Cannon by his vexillological col-leagues, and is generously funded by CRW Flags.

To apply for this grant, submit an application fol-lowing the process outlined on the NAVA website.The grant application consists of a letter detailingthe applicant’s research topic and plans for usingthe grant funds, and verification of the target ofthe research. Grant applications are due by June30 of each year; applicants will be notified afterthe annual grant-review cycle, which ends onSeptember 30.

FIAV: THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OFVEXILLOLOGICAL ASSOCIATIONS

You can expand your vexillological knowledgeand network by joining other flag-studies organi-zations around the world.

A full list of FIAV members is on NAVA’s website(under Flag Resources | Flag Organizations).

Each of the following publishes an outstandingperiodical in English. Visit their websites or e-mail them for information on joining/subscribing:

Flag Society of Australiahttp://www.flagsaustralia.com.au/Crux AustralisFlag Institute (United Kingdom)http://www.flaginstitute.org/Flagmaster, e-flagsCanadian Flag Associationkevin.harrington@sympatico.caFlagscan and several othersThe Southern African VexillologicalAssociation http://www.savaflags.org.za/SAVA Journal, SAVA NewsletterFlag Research Center (USA)http://www.flagresearchcenter.com/The Flag Bulletin, FlagInform

Many others publish in other languages (French,German, Spanish, Italian, etc.) and provide awealth of local and regional flag information.

HALF STAFF

Doug Lynch 1913-2009

NAVA member and vexillographer Douglas Lynchdied 17 April in Portland, Oregon. He designed

the city’s flag in1969 and revised itin 2002 at the urg-ing of fellow mem-bers of the PortlandFlag Association.The longtime deanof the city’s graphicdesign community,he created muralsfor Oregon’s WPA-era Timberline Lodgein 1937 and taughtart to generations ofstudents.

Lynch chaired the Portland Arts Commission inthe 1960s and most recently created one of theten finalist designs to update Oregon’s state flag.

Doug Lynch and PortlandMayor Vera Katz in 2002.

2 · April-June 2009 · No. 202 · NAVA News

PART TWO

[Editor’s note: NAVA News does not usually publishsuch long articles. However, we felt that it was animportant “on the spot” commentary on the vexillologi-cal aspects of a real-world political situation. We hopethat you agree. Because of its length, this article hasappeared in two installments.]

The true meaning of Venezuela’s national flag is still amystery: Miranda never explained it and today we onlyhave indirect references, needing further research.Bolívar even admitted (in an 1826 letter) that he did notknow the symbolism of the flag that he flew as anemblem of freedom throughout a good part of LatinAmerica—and that the subject exasperated him.

In the meaning attributed to the national flag (which hasno legal basis and is transmitted as oral tradition, even inschools), the yellow represents the wealth of our home-land. The blue alludes to the sky over us and theCaribbean Sea which bathes our coasts (and in someinterpretations, to the ocean which separates us from themother country, Spain, and more recently, to Venezuelanterritorial waters). The red recalls the blood spilled byour liberators in pursuit of independence. The eight starsrecall the seven provinces which declared independencein 1811 and the star added by Bolívar’s decree in 1817.

The facts: “the reality is expressed through symbols...”

Until 1999, Venezuelans’ attitudes toward their nationalsymbols seemed to be ignorance and indifference.Because of a tendency to imitate foreign fashions, com-bined with an unexpected oil bonanza, the majority ofthe country felt disconnected from its national identityeven while enjoying freedom and exercising the privi-leges of living in a democracy.

During national elections in December 1998, HugoChávez Frias, an army lieutenant colonel, was over-whelmingly elected president. He assumed office in

1999 and called a constitutional assembly, which resultedin a new constitution with broad popular support.President Chávez began what he called his progressive“Bolivarian Revolution”. He and his followers promotedand implemented a program of radical changes. This, inturn, triggered a nationalistic awakening, demonstratedby a reclaiming and revitalization of the nation’s sym-bols.

Under the premise “of breaking out of paradigms”, oneof Chávez’s practices has been to revive the memory andlegacy of General Simón Bolívar, the greatest nationalhero and Father of the Nation, and effort exalting tosome and disfiguring to others.

Called “El Libertador”, Bólivar was born in Caracas,Venezuela, on 24 July 1783. A military officer, politi-cian, and statesman, he gave freedom to his homelandand three other nations, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru,and founded another, Bolivia, whose name is a tribute tohis memory. After an extremely perilous and accom-plished life, he died in Santa Marta, Colombia, on 17December 1830.

Bolívar has always been considered the unassailablesymbol of Venezuela and freedom in the country andbeyond. However, under Chávez, Bolívar’s image andlegacy has been compromised. The current administra-tion has assumed and promoted the figure of theLiberator as an ideological instrument of its policies.There is no doubt that to be “Bolivarian” before 1999was completely different from what it means today.

Meanwhile, the national flag reasserted its importance,being hoisted and paraded in public demonstrations foror against the government. These street demonstrationsgenerated what has been called the “tricolor tide” or “tri-color boom”. People no longer flew the national colorsjust as a flag, but often would use its colors and stars inother forms and contexts, from painted faces to clothing,including dresses, hats, t-shirts, pins, purses, and bathingsuits. Many of these were by-products of spontaneousemotion or creative commercial opportunity.

On December 2005 Chávez announced he would proposea change to the national flag, adding an eighth star as a“vindication” of the decree hand-written and signed bySimón Bolívar on 20 November 1817 after liberating thecity of Angostura in the then-province of Guayana. Asdiscussed in Part One, Bolívar apparently intended tocreate a new national flag that symbolized Guayana as anequal to the seven existing provinces. At the same time,Chávez proposed modifying of the nation’s coat of arms,

A Commentary byRaúl Jesús Orta Pardofrom Caracas, Venezuela

NAVA News · No. 202 · April-June 2009 · 3

saying that his young daughter had commented that “thehorse head looked backwards”. He later affirmed thatthe existing symbol was a “monarchic”, “imperialistic”,and “reactionary”.

Existing Venezuelan legislation and vexillological tradi-tion reaffirmed the seven stars and their historical sym-bolism—representing of the seven first pioneeringprovinces that declared independence and founded thenation in 1811—symbolism which has been unquestion-ably declared and confirmed by the people in successiveVenezuelan governments since 1863. (Note that todayVenezuela has 23 provinces plus other constituent parts.)

The national assembly (controlled by followers ofChávez) held selective consultations with historians,retailers, and flag manufacturers (most also predominant-ly supporters of Chávez) to “justify” the proposedchanges to the national flag. After the consultations andwith little further discussion or debate, unconfirmedsources state that, hours after a direct but secret presiden-tial order issued early on 7 March 2006, the NationalAssembly approved the current “Ley de BanderaNacional, Himno Nacional, y Escudo de Armas de laRepública Bolivariana de Venezuela” (Law of NationalFlag, National Anthem, and Coat of Arms of theBolivarian Republic of Venezuela) to be in force from itspublication in the Official Gazette No. 38.394 of 9March 2006.

The new flag had an eighth star added to its familiararch. The most significant change to the coat of armswas the depiction of the horse. It changed from gallop-ing to the right (sinister) with its head looking back tothe left in a position of alertness and defense (regardant),to jumping (saltant) to the left (dexter) with its head fac-ing forward and downward.

Two hundred years after Francisco de Miranda raised thetricolor flag (later known as the Primate flag—see flag#1 in Part One [NAVA News #201, p. 2]) for the first timeas genuine emblem of Venezuelan freedom, PresidentHugo Chávez officially hoisted the new flag on 12March 2006. The traditional variants for official (withstars and coat of arms) and civil/merchant (with starsonly) uses were maintained.

This very important and historical event, the adoption ofthe new flag and coat of arms, thus occurred withoutwide consultation of the rest of the nation or any othersector, dissident or not. The mechanism for suchchanges established by the new Bolivarian constitution—to hold a referendum or plebiscite—was simply ignored.Even though the changes might have withstood chal-lenge, as they did have some historical justification, thelegitimacy of the new symbols was compromised by theway they were introduced. Furthermore, their weakenedrepresentational meaning diminished their acceptance bya large part of the populace, despite their legal status asthe country’s symbols.

The law allows a transition period of five years for thefull implementation of the current flag and coat of arms.It also established that during the first six months, theircharacteristics, meaning, and uses would be regulated,but so far no such regulation has occurred.

Two rumored incidents illustrate the government’s tacticsin the design-selection process.

Apparently, even before their legal adoption copies of thenew flag and coat of arms were provided to Chávez sup-porters—some paid demonstrators and minor govern-ment employees—so that immediately after officialapproval they could express their support by parading thenew symbols in the streets.

Furthermore, during that period of “selective consulta-tion” by the national assembly, at least one long-standingflag manufacturer reportedly was provided advance andpreferential notice of the final design—with the stars inan arch and the controversial eighth star—in the guise of“consulting” with its representatives. This allowed themanufacturer to stock up on the new flag, accommodatethe initial demand, and sell at higher prices without sig-nificant competition. It has also been rumored that thesame company refused to continue selling the seven-starflag—even to collectors—despite having a substantialstock still in its warehouse.

1930 2006

Images on this page are from FOTW

4 · April-June 2009 · No. 202 · NAVA News

Supporters of the government now hoist the eight-starflag and use red in flags or clothing. Those who opposethe government, perhaps a considerable majority ofVenezuelans, tend to use the seven-star flag as a sign ofunspoken protest and refuse to use the new coat of arms.This is an attempt to safeguard what many consider theirauthentic national identity—traditions and roots whichshould be beyond politics. Opponents have also hoistedthe seven-star flag inverted as a sign of distress.

The Epilogue? “When the mind is influenced, the real-ity does not exist” (Principle of the Subversive War,

attributed to Lenin).

The dynamics of symbols are directly related to humanevents. The Venezuelan example is not the first time thata totalitarian regime attempted to prevail at all cost,including the imposition of new national symbols.However, “nothing human is eternal”. When the BerlinWall fell, the people subjected to communism recoverednot only their independence but their national identityand their genuine symbols were revived or re-created,showing that “imposed symbols will never prevail”.

Meanwhile, demonstrations continue for and againstChávez, who decreed that using the eight-star flag isobligatory (despite the five-year transition period). Hisdeclaration was supported by a radical assemblywoman,

a supporter of Chávez and his policies, who called fordefending the Chávez revolution with violence anddescribing as criminals those who invert the nationalflag, even when done as a sign of protest.

Other followers of President Chávez agree, consideringthe inverting of the national flag a deliberate offensewhich deserves to be punished. Dismissing the popularspirit of the opposition, they also assert without proofthat the gesture is a “pre-established indication of imperi-alistic foreign intervention”. Another assemblyman hasdeclared that those who invert the national flag or showit inverted on caps, t-shirts, pins, or similar pieces ofclothing should be fined for disrespecting and profaningthe flag. (Ironically, some Chávez followers have alteredthe national flag by adding the image of Ernesto “Che”Guevara.)

There is no doubt that two “Venezuelas” now exist inparallel, on the same soil and under the same sky—the“Venezuela of Seven Stars” that seems to want to main-tain her identity, tradition, and history, and the“Venezuela of Eight Stars” that seems to want to changeradically. Both struggle for possession of the fatherland.Together they face a globalized world in crisis and in theprocess of redefining its survival.

... To be continued ?

NAVA News · No. 202 · April-June 2009 · 5

Notes and Bibliography

Banderas y Divisas usadas en Venezuela(Flags and badges used in Venezuela).MANUEL LANDAETA ROSALES. Caracas, 1903.

Los Símbolos Sagrados de la Nación Venezolana(The Sacred Symbols of the Venezuelan Nation).FRANCISCO ALEJANDRO VARGAS. Caracas, 1981.

Banderas y Escudos del Mundo(Flags and Coat of Arms of the World).Editorial América—EASA, 1986.

Ley de Bandera Nacional, Himno Nacional, y Escudo deArmas de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela(Law of National Flag, National Anthem, and Coat ofArms of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela).National Assembly. Official Gazette of Bolivarian Re-public of Venezuela No. 38.394. Caracas, 9 March 2006.

Nociones de Vexilología (Notions of Vexillology).RAÚL JESÚS ORTA PARDO. Caracas, 2007.

Special Contributions fromVexillologist GUSTAVOTRACCHIA PIEDRA-BUENA, 2008.

Special Support fromVexillologist PETERANSOFF, 2009.

PART ONE ran in NAVA News #201, Jan.-Mar. 2009.

Mystery Flags

The outstanding Mill City Museum, devoted to thehistory of flour milling in Minneapolis, Minnesota,displays this embroidered flour bag. According tothe exhibit label, the Millers’ Belgian ReliefMovement sent 14 million pounds of flour abroadduring World War I, packed in hundreds of thou-sands of cotton flour bags. Its grateful recipientembroidered this as a lingerie bag, then presented itas a gift to a William Edgar.

The arms are those ofBelgium, and all flags butone are easily identified:UK, France, Belgium,Russia, USA (and theydate the bag to about1917), but what about thevertical bicolor of blue-yellow? Note, the cur-rent light-blue shade of

the thread appears to have faded from dark blue (asin the flags of France, Russia, & USA).

Our Belgian friends Michel Lupant and RogerHarmignies guess that it represents a Brussels com-mune (four had unofficial yellow-blue flags usingthe colors from their arms), perhaps Saint-Gillesbecause of the large train station and perhaps flourmilling activity there. Might anyone have moreinformation?

Source: Mill City Museum704 South 2nd St., Minneapolis, MN 55401

612-341-7555 www.millcitymuseum.org

image reversed and straightened

6 · April-June 2009 · No. 202 · NAVA News

BOOK REVIEW

Civil War Flags“Fly” AnewBY TED KAYE

In the run-up to the sesqui-centennial of the Civil War,we’re grateful to publisherswho bring out books on theflags of that conflict. Pelican, which publishedDevereaux Cannon’s masterful illustrated historiesof the flags of the Union and of the Confederacy,has now added to Glenn Dedmondt’s comprehensivestate series. A retired Marine and long-time historyteacher now living in Missouri, Dedmondt has writ-ten The Flags of Civil War [State] for Alabama,North Carolina, and South Carolina—and nowArkansas and Missouri.

The soft-bound books, all available from PelicanPublishing Company and on Amazon.com, deliverconsistent production values. With large colorimages throughout the text, they both show over 50secession, regimental, and national flags—some are

designs reconstructed from descriptions but most arephotographs of actual flags. The books are organ-ized in chapters for each flags, with excellent histor-ical context about the flag and what it representsand extensive descriptive text, detailed footnotes,and images on nearly every page.

Enthusiasts of the Civil War era should value eachof the entertaining and engaging books in the series,whose consistent size (8.5” x 11”) and format willprove an attractive and valuable resource on thevexillologist’s bookshelf. It is intriguing to antici-pate the debate over which side—North or South—had the best flags, but the South appears to be aheadon flag books!

THE FLAGS OF CIVIL WAR

MISSOURI

THE FLAGS OF CIVIL WAR

ARKANSAS

Glenn DedmondtPelican Publishing (2009),160 & 144 pagesISBN: 978-1589801905

978-1589806627

Flags in Action

The Butte County chapter of the California Sons ofthe American Revolution, founded in 1985, presentsHistorical Flag Programs to elementary schools.Here SAR members Art Messenger and NigelParkhurst pose with children and teachers at theirlocal grade school after the program on theRevolutionary War period featuring 12 historic flagsfrom the chapter’s collection.

Source: James B. French

Editor Peter Ansoff recently provided flags for aluncheon in Fredericksburg, Virginia, celebrating the

anniversary ofJefferson’sVirginiaStatute ofReligiousFreedom.The two 13-star flags wereappropriate forthe date onwhich theStatute wasadopted (1786)and the 15-star/15-stripeflag represent-ed the era ofJefferson’spresidency(1801-1809).

Members of the RappahannockColonial Heritage Society inperiod dress examine the historicflags. Photo: Phillip Kalmanson

NAVA News · No. 202 · April-June 2009 · 7

THE VEXILLUM PROJECT

BY WHITNEY SMITH

Almost everyone seriously interested in flags knowsthat the word vexillology and its cognates are basedon the Latin vexillum. That name means a small sailbecause it resembles the vexillum in size and form.The new Vexillum Project refers to the vexillumbecause of its importance in the past and present.

Vexillology as a serious study of theflag in all its manifestations datesback a half century but the word didnot come into use (beyond a verysmall circle of people) until the pub-lication of the first issue of The FlagBulletin in 1961.

The Flag Research Center, in antici-pation of the 50th anniversary ofThe Flag Bulletin, is launching animportant new project. Vexillologyrefers not only to books, lectures,meetings, and flags of all kinds.Important as those are, it is the indi-viduals who have been involved inactivities great or small to advancevexillology who are its real achieve-ment, the source of the thinking,working, and constant expansion ofvexillology. It has always been anenterprise involving not one or twobut countless individuals.

With the passage of time many ofthe people who, beginning in the1950s, helped launch vexillologyhave withdrawn from their work.It would be a great loss if the firststages of our studies were to be for-gotten. The Vexillum Project seeks in particular torecord the memories of the first decades of the sci-ence. It calls for help from all who have participat-ed, to whatever degree, in making vexillology whatit is today. It can be as modest as a copy of a letterseeking information about an unknown flag, or areminiscence of a conversation, the purchase of a

flag for a private collection, attending a meeting offellow enthusiasts, or any other of the actions thatbecame a building block of vexillology as it istoday. For example, Harry F. Manogg wrote on 17November 1971 to Rodney S. Hartwell, president ofthe Augustan Society: “Shall be in Boston overThanksgiving, talking about the Flag HeritageFoundation which has recently been formed.” Itwas soon after that the Augustan Society began tolist the term vexillology as one of the body of organ-ized disciplines charactering the study of history.

If those involved in flags will takethe time to record their memoriesand artifacts relating to the devel-opment of vexillology it will pro-vide an important body of knowl-edge concerning our collectiveactivity for vexillology. All organi-zations, activities, individuals,events, etc., should be included.

Regardless of what material isreceived our appreciation of thepast half century will be immeasur-ably enriched. All materialreceived will be published as a spe-cial issue of The Flag Bulletin andeveryone who has contributed willreceive a copy. Photographs andcopies of documents (originalsreturned) will be particularly wel-come. The deadline for sendingmaterials to the Flag ResearchCenter is 2010.

In order to convert this text to FlagBulletin style, please send it inWord format, single-spaced. Allimages should be in JPEG format,300 dpi, color or grayscale accept-

able. Please send each image as an individual file,not embedded in text. Text and images may be sentas an attachment by e-mail (vexor@comcast.net) ormailed on a CD-ROM to Flag Research Center,3 Edgehill Road, Winchester, MA 01890 USA.

8 · April-June 2009 · No. 202 · NAVA News

Contest Corner:

The Franco-British Union(Redux)In the last issue of NAVA News (#201, Jan.-Mar.2009), we presented several suggested designs forthe flag of the “Franco-British Union”, assumingthat the proposed merger of the two nations hadcome to fruition in 1940. Here we present an addi-

tional proposal fromNAVA memberSusannah Worth. Herexplanation of thedesign follows (editedslightly for length):

The challenges aregreat in merging two nations with a long history ofindependence and of mutual antagonism. In the1930s both had a red/white/blue flag, but each has along history of flags of differing colors. The royalbanner of England as early as 1198 was a deep redwith a gold lion. The French Capetian dynasty atthe same time had a deep blue with a gold fleur-de-lis.

My design uses these two ancient color schemes(reversed on the British side) and divides the fieldinto two carefully balanced components, the reverseof blue-red flag of the city of Paris. This is some-what ironic as the recapture of Paris was a signifi-cant feature of the Second World War

Deep red is used for the British on hoist side signi-fying the more physically secure position of theBritish Isles. It is also the color of royal livery. Thegold crown represents the British monarchy andincludes a fleur-de-lis (representing previous ties toFrance) and a cross at the top symbolizing theChristian heritage of the two countries.

The fly side of the flag in a deep blue signifying theless physically safe geographic position of theFrench who are more exposed to the ill winds blow-ing toward them from Germany. The gold fleur-de-lis, while symbolic of French royalty from as earlyas the 10th century, also appears on numerousFrench regional flags and is even today on the coatof arms of the city of Paris.

While there is a monarchical theme in this flag, theBritish (constitutional) monarchy was a fact, whilethe French monarchy was a distant memory. If themerger had occurred, would the newly formed coun-try have been a monarchy? It seems possible. Thered/white/blue of the French flag which symbolizedliberty was hardly suitable when merger withBritain and loss of national independence throughmerger was imminent.

This flag would at a glance remind the British thattheir monarchy once had a claim (as late as 1714)on French territory, which had come to fruition dueto German aggression. At a glance it would remindthe French of their history (the fleur-de-lis) and ofParis in the layout of background colors.

Editor’s comments:

The form of the united government (monarchy orrepublic) is an interesting question not addressed inany of the historical documentation related to theproposal. The sense seemed to be that the two sepa-rate governments would continue to exist, but thatthey would establish a common citizenship and uni-fied institutions for defense, finance, and othernational priorities. Even in such a situation of suchextreme peril, it’s hard to image either nation aban-doning its long-established form. However, thiswould not necessarily be incompatible with the pro-posed flag. For example, perhaps this flag wouldserve as the naval ensign, while each nation wouldcontinue to use its individual flag (the Tricolor andthe Union Jack) as the naval jack.

The allusions to Paris would not necessarily be iron-ic; they could also have been seen as a rallying cryto resist the invaders and ultimately liberate the city.One wonders, though, about the allusion to Britishclaims on French territory. It’s hard to imagine thateither nation would want to bring that up again,especially under the circumstances. One of theFrench cabinet’s historical objections to the unionproposal was that they “did not want France tobecome a Dominion”.

Thanks once more to Ms. Worth, and also to theother entrants (Secundino Fernandez, Ted Kaye, andJavier Hernandez) for their imaginative ideas andfor helping us imagine what might have been.

NAVA News · No. 202 · April-June 2009 · 9

A Canadian Regiment’sAmerican FlagBY KEN REYNOLDS

Tucked away amongst the artefacts in its collection,there is one particularly interesting piece—vexillo-logically-speaking—on display in the regimentalmuseum of The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa,Ontario, a reserve infantry regiment. More than acentury ago the regiment was known as the 43rd“Ottawa and Carleton” Battalion of Rifles.

Althoughmost of itsactivitiesrevolvedaround train-ing officersand men inthe ways ofmilitary life,the 43rd alsoboasted anactive socialagenda.

One aspect of its social activities involved visitingother communities, some nearby, others fartheraway. On 4 July 1898, the 43rd Battalion carriedout one such visit, this to Vermont’s state capital,Burlington, to join in its Independence Day celebra-tions.1 Nearly 300 members of the 43rd Battalionmade the trip south, along with 100 gunners fromthe 2nd “Ottawa” Field Battery and members of thelocal cavalry unit, the Dragoon Guards. By allaccounts it was a very enjoyable occasion and, asthe Canadians boarded the train for the journeyhome, their musicians played “Yankee Doodle”.2

Officials in Vermont later requested they be permit-ted a return visit “as an additional sign of the sym-pathy and good-will existing between the CanadianTroops and the Citizens of the United States ofAmerica.” Led by General T. S. Peck, Vermont’sAdjutant General, a group of American officials andtheir wives visited the Canadian national capital on17 November 1898. In a ceremony held in the 43rdBattalion’s drill hall, soldiers formed a square,enclosing various speakers and presenters.

At this point that the American visitors presentedthe 43rd Battalion with a gift commemorating itsvisit to Vermont in July—a silk American 45-starnational flag mounted on a silver-headed staff. Theflag was embroidered with the text “43RD BATTAL-ION OTTAWA & CARLETON RIFLES” runningalong one of the red stripes.3

No further mention of the flag appears in regimentalrecords or the local press. It’s not even clear whathappened to it, or where it was kept, after 1898.The silver-headed staff is long gone. Naturally, theflag itself deteriorated over time; it was sent to aCanadian conservation organization for repairs acouple of decades ago. The flag is now adhered tocotton backing in an attempt to slow the rate ofdecay and, given its age, is in remarkably goodshape. It is kept under glass and low light levels inthe Camerons’ museum, on display for all visitors.___________________________1. Library and Archives Canada (LAC), Record Group (RG) 9, II B 1,vol. 185, no. 74640, T.S. Peck, Adjutant General, State of Vermont,Adjutant and Inspector General’s Office, Burlington, to Hon. CharlesE. Turner, Consul General of the United States, Ottawa, 3 June 1898;ibid, A.P. Sherwood, Major, Commanding 43rd Battalion, Ottawa, toO.C. Ottawa Brigade, 14 June 1898; LAC, RG 9, II A 1, vol. 309, no.16859, Minister of Militia and Defence, to the Governor General inCouncil, 15 June 1898

2. Ernest J. Chambers, The Duke of Cornwall’s Own Rifles. ARegimental History of The Forty-Third Regiment, Active Militia ofCanada (Ottawa: E.L. Ruddy, 1903), pp.46-47

3. LAC, RG 9, II B 1, vol. 191, no. 77644, M. Aylmer, Col, AdjutantGeneral, Head Quarters, to Officer Commanding Ottawa Brigade, 9Nov. 1898; “Saxons All. Burlington Men Fraternize With LocalVolunteers”, Ottawa Citizen, 18 Nov. 1898; Chambers, pp.47-49

43rd Battalion officers in the late19th century

The 45-star American flag in the regimentalmuseum of The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa

10 · April-June 2009 · No. 202 · NAVA News

The Flag of the United Farm WorkersBY STAN CONTRADES

A flag can evoke emotion and help build commonties, exactly the impact César Chávez, co-founderand long-time leader of the United Farm Workers(UFW) union, was looking for when he sought tocreate a symbol members could identify with andrally around.

By the mid-1960s, the strikingly simple UFW flag,with its black eagle set on a background of whiteand blood red, conveyed an instant sense of belong-ing, struggle, and cultural pride.

Chávez lived a difficult life working in the fields ofCalifornia from the time he was very young.Learning from this experience, he committed him-self to improving the living and working conditionsof all farm workers. To this end he joined and rosethrough the ranks of the Community ServiceOrganization (CSO), which organized communitiesto solve problems, eventually becoming its nationaldirector. But when he could not get the CSO tofocus on organizing farm workers, he left to foundthe National Farm Workers Association (NFWA),the precursor to the UFW.

The first NFWA convention was held 30 September1962 with about 150 delegates assembled in avacant movie theater in Fresno. The association’sdistinctive flag was unveiled that day.

By 1970 the UFW had achieved significant success,persuading many growers to accept union contractsand at one point claiming 50,000 active members.This was largely due to Chávez’s leadership anddedication to non-violence (he was a follower of theprinciples practiced by Gandhi and Dr. MartinLuther King, Jr.).

After his death, Chávez would receive the Medal ofFreedom, America’s highest civilian honor, fromPresident Clinton in 1994. In the citation accompa-nying the honor, the president lauded Chávez forhaving “faced formidable, often violent oppositionwith dignity and nonviolence. . . The farm workerswho labored in the fields and yearned for respectand self-sufficiency pinned their hopes on thisremarkable man who, with faith and discipline, soft-spoken humility and amazing inner strength, led avery courageous life.” The late Senator Robert F.Kennedy called Chávez “one of the heroic figures ofour time”.

Chávez’s brother, RichardChávez, designed theUFW eagle and chose theblack and red colors as acombination he thoughtwould “get some colorinto the movement, togive people somethingthey could identify with”.Chávez had askedRichard, the family artist,to design the flag usingan Aztec eagle (a unify-ing emblem for Mexican-Americans), but Richardcould not make an eagle he liked. Initial versionswere very lifelike and resembled the eagle on theMexican flag, but this made for a symbol difficult toreproduce. Finally he sketched one on a piece ofbrown wrapping paper, drawing inspiration from theThunderbird symbol and squaring off the wingedges so the eagle would be easier for union mem-bers to draw on handmade flags. Inverted, the eagleresembles an Aztec pyramid.

http://www.backspace.com/notes/2003/05/united-farm-workers-logo.php

Maria Zamora shows herpride for the United FarmWorkers and her supportduring a march for the lateMaria Isabel VasquezJimenez.(Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)

NAVA News · No. 202 · April-June 2009 · 11

The eagle initially hadlifelike feet, but when thesymbol was shown to theUFW board, they burstout laughing, saying thefeet looked like a chick-en’s and simply wouldnot do. While half sleep-ing one night the idea ofusing a straight bar cameto Richard and he used

that idea to finish the drawing. The final design wasquickly adopted and a “first flag” was produced.

Chávez said, “A symbol is an important thing. Thatis why we chose an Aztec eagle. It gives pride . . .When people see it they know it means dignity.”

They also decided on the symbolism of the flag:The black Aztec eagle signifies the dark situation ofthe farm worker with the white circle signifyinghope and aspirations. Thered background stands forthe hard work and sacri-fice union memberswould have to give.They also adopted anofficial motto, “Viva laCausa” (Long Live OurCause). Also, often seenin conjunction with theblack eagle is the wordHUELGA, Spanish for“strike”.

But the flag was not animmediate success withthe membership it wasmeant to represent.Chávez recalled theunveiling of the first flagat the 1962 convention:“There was a big screenin the theater, and ourhuge flag covered most ofit. The flag itself wascovered with paper. Iwanted Manuel to pullthe cord, so I could see

the reaction of people asit was unveiled. Whenthe eagle appeared, every-one gasped. You couldhear it. A few were soshocked we lost them.They thought we wereCommunists. Somecommented that the eagleshould be gold and thebackground light blue.Others complained it looked like the Nazi banner. Isaid, ‘It’s what you want to see in it. To me it lookslike a strong, beautiful sign of hope.’”

The black eagle symbol has withstood the test oftime and still fulfills its original purpose of repre-senting the hopes of the UFW’s members; however,as with any successful symbol it has crossed lines,both good and bad. It isnow used commercially onitems such as the labels ofthe UFW’s Black EagleWines and recently has seenuse as a gang tattoo, causinga furor in a number of com-munities and receiving con-demnation by the UFW.

In the nearly fifty years since its inception, the basicdesign of the UFW flag has been modified to fit theneeds of the membership. Words are sometimesadded and the colors changed, but the easily repro-duced eagle remains central to the flag and othermedia it is printed on; just as Chávez wanted.Chávez knew well the power of symbols—he diedin his sleep in 1993 with an art book in his hand.

La Causa: UFW Flag,Division of Politics andReform, National Museum ofAmerican History.

UFW flag designed byRicardo Favela, printed byLouie “The Foot” Gonzalez.http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/hb0199n93x/

Making UFW Huelga flagshttp://farmworkermovement.us

NFWA (UFW) flag designed byAndy Zermenohttp://farmworkermovement.us

César Chávez http://farmworkermovement.us

NAVA Classifieds

Unusual collection of flag information and histori-cal flags. The Flag Guys® www.flagguys.comFREE catalog. 845-562-0088 283 Windsor Hwy.,New Windsor, NY 12553

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12 · April-June 2009 · No. 202 · NAVA News

NAVA News wants your articlesand other vexi-news fromaround North America

Nearly all of the content of NAVA News comprisescontributions from NAVA members and others in thevexi-community. We’re always looking for shortarticles, news about members’ vexillological activities,photos, pictures, and descriptions of new and interest-ing flags, etc. If you’d like to submit an item forpublication, contact the editor, Peter Ansoff, atnavanews@nava.org. The publication schedule is:

Deadline for ApproximateIssue No. Submissions “In the Mail” Date

203 31 July . . . . 20 September 2009204 31 October . 20 December 2009205 31 January . 20 March 2010

Don't wait—get started now on that articleyou’ve been meaning to write!

NAVA DatabaseDid you know that you can update your personalinformation in the NAVA membership databaseyourself? To update your member profile—address, phone, e-mail, flag interests, and e-mailpreferences—visit the Members Only section ofthe NAVA website. Click on “Edit My Profile”and update any information listed there.

NAVA members need a password to access theMembers Only section, which holds the MembersDirectory and other useful information.To receive or renew your password:1) Go to http://members.nava.org or

Go to NAVA.org and click on “Member Login”.2) Enter your member number in the “Member

ID” box (it’s on your mailing label).3) Click on “Forgot Password?” and an e-mail with

your new password will be sent to the emailaddress on record.

You can also update your Personal Flag there. E-mail Shane Sievers, NAVA webmaster, at web-master@nava.org with any questions, sugges-tions, or concerns.

NAVA Membership Anniversaries

40-Year Members—since 1969Annin & Company, Roseland, New JerseyJames A. Barr, Stockton, CaliforniaJames A. Croft, South Hadley, MassachusettsArthur Zach Hirsch, Jr., Prescott, ArizonaNational Flag Foundation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

30-Year Members—since 1979Martin A. Francis, San Leandro, CaliforniaGustavo Tracchia, Kew Gardens, New YorkKirk Van Gundy, Fort Dodge, Iowa

20-Year Members—since 1989John A. Browning, Louisville, KentuckyAl Cavalari, New Windsor, New YorkRichard T. Clark, Arlington, VirginiaSecundino Fernandez, New York, New York

Robert M. Hartman, Frederick, MarylandPeter Kinderman, Cincinnati, OhioDr. Henry W. Moeller, Hampton Bays, New YorkGene Pettit, Houston, TexasJon T. Radel, Springfield, VirginiaRandolph Smith, Chicago, IllinoisRonald C. Strachan, Darwin, NT, Australia

10-Year Members—since 1999Jean Paul Billault, Paris, FranceThomas J. Hale, Quincy, MassachusettsBeatrice C. Jones, Garden Grove, CaliforniaMason Ehrman Kaye, Pasadena, CaliforniaRobert H. Manning, Marquette, MichiganRev. Michael B. Smith, Akron, OhioTaiji Tanaka, Osaka, JapanRick Wyatt, Glen Burnie, Maryland

GREETINGS FROM SRI LANKA

NAVA sends copies of its publica-tions each year to FIAV membersacross the world. KumaranFernando of the Flag ResearchCentre of Sri Lanka recently wrote: “Thank you forNAVA’s publications for 2008, all of which I have enjoyedreading...we are engaged in the revival ofFRCSL...Warmest wishes for the astrological New Yearwhich falls on 14 April every year when the Earth com-pletes its circle around the Sun.

NAVA News · No. 202 · April-June 2009 · 13

CHUMLEY THE VEXI-GORILLA

Chumley the Vexi-Gorilla™ is the creationof Michael Faul, editorof Flagmaster, the dis-tinguished journal ofthe Flag Institute in theUnited Kingdom.To a field not oftenblessed with humor’sgrace, Mr. Faul brings adelightfully light touch,deep vexillologicalroots, and sparklingwhimsy.

NAVA News is reprintingsome vintage Chumley flagsthat previously appeared inblack-and-white.

MEMBER FLAGS

Ian Ross Latham—Atlanta, Georgia

A new member of NAVA, Mr. Latham describes hisflag: “A royal blue field, representing the SouthPacific Ocean, with four white stars of theSouthern Cross, adapted from the red and white-bordered stars of the New Zealand flag (1902),and positioned similarly, but depicted in white toacknowledge Australia. I was born and raised inNew Zealand; my wife is Australian. The fourstars also represent the U.S. States of Georgia,Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina, towhich I am accredited as New Zealand HonoraryConsul. As a private signal, the flag has a shal-low swallowtail. As a burgee, the stars moveslightly closer to the hoist.”

For all NAVA Members’ flags, see:

http://www.nava.org/NAVA%20Membership/FlagRegistry.php

Members are encouraged to send in their personal flagdesigns for inclusion in the NAVA Member Flag Registry.Send your photos/drawings/images and descriptions tonavanews@nava.org or mail to: Member Flag Registry, 1977N. Olden Ave. Ext., PMB 225, Trenton NJ 08618-2193 USA.

Jeremy Tramer—Santa Monica, California

Blue represents the ocean, Jeremy’s eyes, and hishigh school and college colors. Green, hisfavorite color, is from the flags of home,California and Los Angeles, and recalls the 48contiguous US states. The red stripe derivesfrom the flags of his ancestral countries: Russia,Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, and Germany,plus US and California. The stars are for L.A. andWashington, DC (he attends Georgetown), andcome from the US and Texas flags, because hissix-times-great uncle, President John Tyler,annexed Texas. For the full 600-word descrip-tion, see the Flag Registry entry.

14 · April-June 2009 · No. 202 · NAVA News

North AmericanVexillological Association1977 N. Olden Ave. Ext. PMB 225Trenton, NJ 08618-2193 USA

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

CHECK YOUR LABEL!If the “Paid Through” date is 2008,it’s time to renew for 2009.Pay your NAVA membership dues viawww.PayPal.com to treas@nava.orgor by check to the NAVA P.O. Box.Thank you!

NAVA 43 Charleston, SC 9-11 Oct. 2009Plan to attend the 43rd Annual Meetingof the North American VexillologicalAssociation in historic Charleston, SouthCarolina. We plan an exciting flag-filledprogram. Full details on www.nava.org.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

At the Saturday evening banquet, our keynote speakerwill be Dick Schreadley, retired executive editor of thePost and Courier, Charleston's daily newspaper since1803. Author of the history of the Washington LightInfantry (organized in 1807), he will discuss the EutawFlag—perhaps the only flag that can be traced to thebattlefields of the American Revolution, and which we willsee earlier at the Washington Light Infantry Armory.

HOTEL: Embassy Suites—Historic Charleston

337 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403. A block of suites has beenreserved through 9 August 2009for the nights of 9/10/11 October.The rate is $179/night plus tax forthe two-room suites. Other nightsat the same rate while available.

Reserve at www.embassysuites.com or 843-723-6900 /1-800-embassy. The group code for NAVA 43 is “NAV”. To offset the higher-than-usual room rates, we have low-ered the registration fee. We also encourage attendeesto room together—the two-room suites make that easier.

SUBMITTING PAPERS & DISPLAYS

If you wish to present a paper or set up a display at NAVA43, please mail the following information to First VicePresident Gus Tracchia by 30 June 2009: 1) Your name,address, telephone number, and e-mail address if avail-able; 2) Title of your paper, presentation, symposium,workshop, or display; 3) Abstract of your paper, presenta-tion, symposium, workshop, or display; 4) Type and sizeof display area and/or equipment needed, includingtables, electrical requirements, audio/visual equipment,etc. 5) Notice if you decline to have your paper consid-ered for the Captain William Driver Award.Please send a complete copy of the paper (in publishableform in both hard-copy and electronic file in MS-Word withhigh-resolution image files) by 31 August 2009 or it will bedeleted from the program. SEND TO: Gus Tracchia, 82-67 Austin St #205 Kew Gardens, NY 11415 (718) 847-2616 e-mail: vp1st@nava.org

REGISTRATION

A registration form is enclosed with this NAVA News, andis available on the NAVA website: www.nava.org.

Watch these Deadlines:

Papers/Displays, concept—30 June Hotel reservation—9 August Regular registration—31 August Papers/Displays, final—31 August

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Visit flag-filled museums on the Museum Mile and hearmore Vexi-Bits than ever, enjoy a banquet and a talk onthe Eutaw Flag and the camaraderie of fellow members.