NORTH AMERICAN VEXILLOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

VOLUME XXVII. NO.1

SYMBOLS OF THE MUSCOGEE NATION By Don Healy

The Muscogee or Creek Nation constitutes one of the five "civilized" tribes of Oklahoma. During the middle of the 19th century, the Muscogee were forcibly evicted from their native lands in what is now Alabama and Georgia and resettled on 4800 square miles of east central Oklahoma.

Today, that land has been reduced to a mere 5500 acres, but the Muscogee have been so successful in the areas of agriculture and animal husbandry that they hope to purchase enough property to increase their holdings to nearly 25,000 acres by the end of the century.

The success of the M uscogee in the field of agriculture is celebrated in their tribal seal which was adopted shortly after the Civil War. This seal continued to be used officially from 1906 thru 1979 while the Muscogee government was functioning under its original constitution. The design of the old seal can be seen on a 19th century cigarette premium shown in figure l.

In 1979, a new constitution was approved by both the federal govern­ment and the Creek people. At this time the tribal seal was modernized (fig. 2), though it was based upon an actual impression made by the old seal.

The new seal is used extensively throughout the Creek nation on tribal buildings, machinery and other tribal property. Wh$ln used it can be found in both a black and white version and full color variety.

When shown in color, the seal is surrounded by a green band edged by a gold rope on the outer edge and a gold band on the inner side. Within the green band is the legend "GREAT SEAL OF THE MUSCOGEE NATION I. T." (the I. T. stands for Indian Territory, not Indian Tribe).

The center of the seal contains a green field with sand colored scrub in the foreground. Centered on this field is a plow and haystack as in the original seal. These two elements recall the close ties the Muscogee have to agriculture and symbolize the Christian influence upon the people.

In the background are golden hills over which appears a huge red (yes,

FIG.]

JAN/FEB 1994

FIG. 2

red) cumulus cloud edged in white. The sky, of course, is light blue. The major differences between the old and new seals are the size of the

plow and haystack and the prominence given the cloud in the new version. As a national flag, the Muscogee fly a white flag bearing the seal in full

color in the center. When placed on the field, the seal occupies approxi­mately two-thirds the width of the flag.

When used within Muscogee tribal lands, the flag flies subordinate to the flag of the United States. The flag of the State of Oklahoma is not used. attesting to the sovereignty of the Muscogee nation.

As the Creek Indian nation continues to grow with yearly purchases of land in Oklahoma, the symbols of the Muscogee will become more and more common and ever more important.

BOOK: FLAGS

By Kent Alexander Dr. Whitney Smith, Consulting Editor

An excellent oversize book by Mallard Press. Outstanding for flags depicted in sharp color by continents with explanation of country's flag history together with other pictures of related buildings, cities, terrain, and people. Pages 176. Facts given for each country. Concludes with Olympic flags, flag rules, folding, making your own, references and resources, glossary, and index. Complete. Available from Edward R. Hamilton, Falls Village, CT. 06031-5000. $12.95 plus $3 postage and handling. Item #7003307. Photography excellent. You'll be proud to own this one.

(submitted by Elizabeth Hardy, Jacksonville, IL)

NAVA NEWS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1994 PAGE 1

A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT Scot Guenter

I'm pleased to have received from Doreen Bravennan notification of a new regional group, the Cascadia Division, North American vexillologists from British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. (The Cascade Range is a chain of mountains extending from Mt. Lassen in northern California to the Fraser river in southern British Columbia.) The first meeting of the Cascadia Division was held on Sept. 14, 1993 attheFlagShop in Vancouver, B.C. Harry Oswald, NAVA 28 Chair, Dr. Wolf Linche, Pearsen Flag Studies, and Doreen Bravennan participated. We look forward to hearing more from this new regional group. Their next meeting is scheduled for Spring 1994. AI1 vexil1ologists in the area are invited to attend; addresses for all three mentioned above are in the NA V A Membership List. NA V A heartily supports all scholarly flag studies.

Coming in 1 994 ... learning about flags by video.

*****

FLAG DAY FLAP Camp. and Ed. By John H. Gamez

On June 14, in one of his numerous "Special Order" speeches, U.S. Representative Henry B. Gonzalez of the 20th District of Texas made comments that inflamed flag wavers nationwide.

On Flag Day, he said, "Americans were disengaged from the Constitu­tion and the rights it guarantees and, instead, were pledging their allegiance to a flag, a symbol."

"Here we are, like a good little herd, reminiscent of the Hitlerian period: 'Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil!'"

Special Order speeches by Representative Gonzalez are made to an empty house for inclusion into the Congressional record. They are telecast on C-Span.

Reaction to his comments was swift. Rep. Robert Michel (R - Ill.) and Rep. Newt Gingrich (R - Geo.) called on Speaker of the House Tom Foley to reprimand Gonzalez for these remarks and called for official censure.

The request to Foley stated that Michel and Gingrich found " ... these remarks highly improper. The fact that they were made on Flag Day makes them all the more offensive.

"What they want to do is punish thought, not behavior," Gonzalez retorted. "It must have hit pretty close to those goose-steppers."

Local reaction to Gonzalez's speech was mixed. According to LynnelJ Burkett, Associate Editorial Director for the San Antonio Express-News, they received upwards of 20 letters on the subject She considered that "a lot". She also said that they were also evenly divided pro and con.

In his long commentary in the editorial page, former San Antonio City Councilman Van Archer vented his fury over Gonzalez's comments. He lauded RepUblicans for trying to censure him. He also criticized Gonzalez's comment that the flag is only a symbol by saying that the cross too is "only" a symbol.

Jim Tenney of San Antonio felt that oaths are a common part oflife and should not be compared to a Nazi salute.

Richard Sanchez also of San Antonio agreed that the flag is a symbol­a symbol offreedom. He also remarked that the Democrats had the perfect symbol - the ass.

Norman D. PhilJips of nearby Pleasanton, TX, criticized Republicans by saying that they could not differentiate between a symbo I and the nation that it stands for. He also said that they were not criticizing his speech but rather his stance.

Wes and Jane Hare quo ted Mark Twain. The comment "Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels" was aimed at House Republicans.

John A. Daniels remarked that Gonzalez's speech emphasized that the Constitution was the guarantor of our freedoms. "That is the substance of the governance of us all, not the flag".

PAGE 2 NAVA NEWS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1994

4" X 6" CORNER By Don Healy

As the world keeps changing, so does the list of desk top flags available. Recent additions to this seemingly endless list include:

Afghanistan w/script Eritrea Macedonia Slovakia Tajikistan A dip of the old 4 x 6 flag in salute to member Jack Lowe for providing

confirmation that the following are available, though difficult to find: The Knoxville (TN) World's Fair Spain wlo arms Potomac, MD Rockville, MD Prince George's County, MD Washington County, MD Montgomery County, MD (old design) Montgomery County, MD (new design) Any reader want to try and guess what state Jack lives in? That's all for this installment.

NAVA 28 NAVA 28 will meet October 7,8 & 9, 1994 at the Portland Downtown Holiday Inn 1021 N.E. Grand Avenue Portland, Oregon 97232 Phone (503) 235-2100. The room rate, single or double, will be $68.00 Day plus 9% Hotel Tax.

There is no Sales Tax in Oregon. The registration fee has not been finalized, but it should not exceed $75.00.

For additional information, contact Harry Oswald, NAV A 28 Host 1134 S.E. 60th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97215 Phone (503) 234-2961

OREGON NAV A will meet for the first time in the State of Oregon in October of

1994. Oregon, popularly called the "Beaver state", is bounded on the north partially by the Columbia River and the state of Washington, on the east by Idaho and partially by the Snake River, on the south by California and Nevada and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. (Not to be confused with the Portland on the Atlantic Ocean; that was NA VA 27.) Oregon's general coast line extends north and south 287 miles; its extreme length east and west is 383 miles. The total area is 96,981 sq. miles, making it the tenth state in size. The origin of the name "Oregon" is unknown; first used in 1765 to refer to a mythical river of the west, the name was later applied to the entire territory drained by the Columbia river from which the states of Oregon, Washing­ton, and Idaho were eventually formed. Oregon was admitted to the union in 1859 as the 33rd state.

Statehood was ushered in with a gold rush to the northwest. Prospectors from California working their way north had discovered gold in southern Oregon, British Columbia and northern Washington in the middle 1850s. Rich placer diggings were opened up in Montana and Idaho in 1860. Demands from the mines made Oregon and its chief city, Portland, the supply center for the interior. In 1867-68 surplus wheat was shipped to England and initiated an export trade which made Oregon one of the nation's great wheat exporting states.

The most serious drawback to Oregon's growth between 1860 and 1880 was its isolation. Agitation for railroads began almost with settlement. In the 1860s abortive attempts were made to connect with the Union Pacific, then building to California, but it was not until 1880s that the Northern Pacific gave Oregon its first transcontinental line. Railroad advertising of subsidy land grants contributed to a population increase from 174,768 to 313,716 ill the decade of 1880-90.

Climate: While the climate of Oregon differs from north to south, .' striking contrast appears between east and west where the Cascade range divides the humid, marine climate of the coast and valley from the semiarid climate of the plateau. Water-saturated air from the ocean cools and falls in heavy rains in the Coast range.

FICTIONAL FLAGS: FOUR VISIONS OF A FUTURE

U.S.A. By John H. Gamez

As the world commemorated the 50th anniversary of World War II, many will reflect not only on the heroic and tragic deeds of that conflict but of the numerous vexilIological changes that have occurred in the aftermath of that war.

In the rubble of some war-tom nations were planted new flags. After a few decades they"fell only to be supplanted by their predecessors.

We in the U.S.A. look on in fascination at the relatively rapid changes in the flags of other nations while we are comforted by the notion that the Stars and Stripes wilI be forever with us.

The U.S. flag owes its longevity in part to a government that responds to the changing needs of the populace. It is also due to its veneration as a sacred object. An example of this can be seen in the 1988 presidential election. The issue of flag desecration and patriotism became the central theme of the Vice President George Bush's successful campaign (see The FlaK Bulletin, XXVII:5/128).

Conservatives are not the only ones who wrap themselves in the flag. In the STAR TREK episode "The Omega Glory", series creator and producer gives us his interpretation of the flag and the ideals and government that it represents. His belief in the permanence of this form of government and its ideals is further demonstrated in the STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERA­IIQN episode "The Royale:'. In this episode the ENTERPRISE encounters a piece of debris bearing a 52 star U.S. flag (fig. 1) dating from 2033 to 2079

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FIG. 1 (see NA VA NEWS, vol. XXII, No.4).

Like all other human endeavors, stable government is not forever. Perhaps one day this government will face challenges' that it cannot overcome. These challenges can be either internal or external and manifest themselves as economic, military, or political threats.

Today the economic threat is considered by many a reality. A weak American economy pitted against powerful Japan and a resurgent Germany has brought a rebirth of isolationism in this country (oddly enough, conditions similar to those prior to World War II). "Japan Bashing" is the American reaction to this threat. This fear was perfectly summarized by the

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FIG. 2

cover photo of a past issue of National Lampoon magazine. Sitting at the President's desk in the Oval Office is a middle age Japanese

man in a business suit. To his right is a modified U.S. flag. In place of the blue canton is the Japanese national flag (fig. 2).

During the Cold War the military threat was an ominous possibility. The film RED DAWN took us behind the lines of a Soviet/Cuban invasion of the U.S.

In the areas under enemy control, which were referred to as the "Occupied Territories," the invaders raised a new flag. Looking very much like the Soviet naval jack, it was red emblazoned with a red star with a broad blue fimbriation (fig. 3).

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FIG. 3

Of course the film ends with the eventual defeat of the invaders and closes with a scene of subtle victory - the Stars and Stripes flying over a monument dedicated to the partisan heroes of the war.

Perhaps to some, the greatest fear is the threat of opposing political groups from within the nation. Political parties and special interests groups dread the thought of government becoming too conservative or liberal for their purposes .

An example of this is portrayed in the film A Hand Maid's Tale. It is set in the not too distant future where religion has become the law of the land and a woman's right to choose when or even with whom to conceive has been stripped away by the state.

Among the basic changes to government is the national pledge. No longer does one pledge allegiance to the flag. The new pledge reads:

We pledge allegiance to the Bible. The Old Testament shall be our sole and only constitution. Not only does the character of the nation change, but so does the flag (fig.

4). The stars in the canton have been replaced by a seal that is a modification

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of the obverse of the Great Seal of the United States. The implications of this are clear. The replacement of the U:S. coat-of­

arms, with its secular eagle, by a seal with a pyramid topped by the "Eye of God" indicates the character of the government in power. The use of old symbols such as the flag and seal perpetuate the illusion to the masses that despite the changes nothing has changed.

Only the future will tel! us what flag changes are in store for this nation. It is, however, ftm to speculate.

NAVA NEWS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1994 PAGE 3

VEXI-BITS Edited by Don Healy

THE PLAIN-DEALER - CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 9 1993 Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt, and North-Rhine Westphalia have all outl~wed the old German Imperial war flag joining Brandenburg, Hesse and Rheinland-­Palatinate. The six states were moved to outlaw the old flag because of its frequent use by neo-Nazi gatherings. The ban is just part of a government crack down on the extreme right which has been blamed for more than 1300 acts of violence including seven murders in recent months. (submitted by John Purcell)

Press-Journal - Vero Beach, Fl - July 4, 1993 - Puerto Rico's pro­s~tehoo~ s~pporters have ~een increasingly using u.S. flag displays as vIsual aIds m theIr campaIgn for soliciting tlJe statehood option ill the November 14th plebiscite (Note: Co=onwealth status beat out statehood by a 48% - 46% vote witIJ independence getting 4%). All three factions sought to use tlJe 5-pointed star as tlJeir ballot symbol so neutral symbols -a box, circle and triangle - were assigned by lot.

(submitted by Bernard Couture, Sr.)

TV Guide - October 23, 1993 - A new video "Flags of the Nations" featuring a colorful "journey" to more than 270 flags and countries with musical sound tracks has been released. The one hour video is available for $29.95 by phoning 1-800-345-1441. (The described video has been purchased by the Vexi-Bits editor. It is extremely poor quality and contains so many errors that it cannot be recommended except for its shock value! Most of ~he flags are correct, but not all, and it is obvious tlJat they were drawn uslllg a personal computer graphics package. Colors and proportions are standardized, but a few flags, like old South Yemen, seem to spill off the screen. The narration is the poorest part of tlJe video. The narrator, who speaks in a most disinterested tone, imparts many incredulous pronounce­~ents such as "the former flag of Togo contains the black-white-red stripes m tlJe canton "to honor Germany, its colonial ruler"! The truth is tlJat it contained the French tri-color to show French rule. This video would scare any budding vexillologist into bird-watching or stamp collecting.

This .video is purported to be an educational tool, a claim akin to calling an atomJc bomb an urban renewal project!!)

(submitted by John Anastasio)

New York Times - October 21, 1993 - Editor's note points out the similarity of the emotional ties found between tlJe early Zionist movement and the flag sketched by TheodoI\l Herzl (basis for the current Israeli flag) and the Palestinian affection for tlJeir flag and its use in celebrating the recent agreement between Israel and tlJe PLO. In both cases, what was simply a "rag on a stick" worked powerfully to give a sense of nationhood.

(submitted by John Anastasio)

Whitney Smith reports Afganistan has done itagain! Forthosecollector's who have yet to get tlJe black-white-green with Arabic script - work fast. Afghanistan has replaced this flag with a black-white-green horizontally striped flag bearing arms.

Bernard Couture Sr. reports tlJat the old January 1972 issue oftlJe Qyil War Times has a 12 page article by Forest Bowman on the adoption of a national flag by tlJe Confederacy.

Globe &Mail- Toronto - October 23,1993 - The MacedonianAssocia­tion for ~nadian Youth was granted permission to hold an independence ceremony m Toronto' s Nathan Phillips Square. However - they will not be allowed to raise tlJe Macedonian flag. This was to avoid a repetition of a violent clash over a previous Macedonian flag raising in December 1992.

(submitted by Peter Edwards)

Toronto Sun - October 20, 1993 - A Toronto Blue Jays fan offers an American-proof version of the Canadian flag (see figure 1)

(submitted by Peter Edwards)

Miami Herald -September 22, 1993 - The Arab League admitted its 22nd member, the Comoros Islands.

(submitted by Bernard Couture)

PAGE 4 NAVA NEWS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1994

L.ETTER OF THE DAY

("Toronto Sun" October 20, 1993, FIG J)

Press-Journal- Vero Beach, FL - October 19, 1993 - South Carolina's Attorney General came down with an opinion that the Confederate flag flying atop the SoutIJ Carolina Statehouse has "no binding legal authority" granted to the state and reco=ended its removal.

State Senator Verne Smith, chainnan of the Statehouse Committee, objected and said he thought the entire General Assembly would have to agree to remove the flag. No action yet.

(submitted by Bernard Couture)

Press-Journal- Vero Beach, FL - July 4, 1993 - In an editorial, the paper mentioned efforts by Stafford County (\l A) Judge John Scott Jr. to have three flags from the Confederate era removed from a courthouse display of ten flags tracing Stafford County's history from colonial era to the present. The judge said he wanted them removed because the do "not symbolize the concept of equal justice under the law".

The editorial points out that the judge failed to object to the St. George's

(

cross of England under which African-Americans were transported to (-. America and into slavery nor to the ante-bellum United States flag under which the U.S. Supreme Court certified black slaves as chattel. It further argued that the Confederate flags are frequently offensive, but in an historical display they are appropriate. It is not the business of government to decree "correct" interpretations. History is - it should not be edited.

(submitted by Bernard Couture, Sr.)

Around the Publications -

Crux Australis #32 - salutes the 20th anniversary of the Aboriginal flag, updates Cambodia's flag history (since changed again), and features articles on flags of Macao and dissident groups in Indonesia.

Crus Australis #33 • features the Sydney 2000 Olympic flag (which won tlJe bid, so it will become popular in 7 years); the flags of Greater Geelong (a Melbourne suburb), and continues the debate on a new national flag.

Crux Australis #34 - features the Torres Straits Is. flag and even more on new designs for a new national flag.

The Flag Bulletin #152 - May-June, 1993 - is devoted entirely to tlJe vast collection of the late Dr. Ottfried Newbecker which is now in the hands of tlJe Flag Research Center.

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SA VA Newsletter #3 -July 1992 - features heraldic banners designed by the South African Bureau of Heraldry, updates on the Presidential banner of Zimbabue (see fig. 2) and South Africa's Interim Olympic Flag.

SA VA Newsletter #4 -December 1992 - has more flags from the Bureau of Heraldry, updates on internal diversions of Russia and flags of the old Rhodesian Security forces.

SA VA Newsletter #5 -April 1993 - reports on changes to the flags of the ANC and the National Party' continues its updates on Russian internal diversions and documents more Rhodesian defense forces' flags.

Flagscan - Fan 1993 - has an extensive report on FIA V XV in Zurich; Omoroland, and the flag laws of South Korea and Belarus. Also of note -the new flag of Windsor, Ontario.

Harry Oswald, our host this coming year in Portland, OR, passes along some information on a flag that many may be unaware of - that of the Ka Lahui Hawaii movement The Ka Lahui Hawaii movement is the group pushing for Hawaiian sovereignty and possible independence. They feel the native Hawaiian popUlation has been so overwhelmed by mainlanders and Asian immigration that they are an endangered ethnic group. The flag (see Fig. 3) is dark blue bearing nine fifteen pointed stars, presumedly for the islands that make up Hawaii. The white stars have five extended points and ten shorter ones.

FIG. 3

Toronto GloveandMail-Novemher 15,1993- TheCanadiallMacedonian population overcome the ban on raising their flag on a flagpole at Toronto's Nathan Phillips square (see earlier story). The banned flag raising was intended to honor Macedonia's first anniversary of independence from Yugoslavia The Macedonians got around the ban by using a balloon to hold the red and gold flag aloft, much to the pleasure of an estimated 6,000 supporters warning Canada's red and white and Macedonia's red and gold.

(submitted by Peter Edwards)

Toronto Globe and Mail - November 17, 1993 - Canadian Pacific, the immense transportation conglomerate, has adopted a new logo combining the maple leaf and the stars and stripes. Canadian history buffs were disturbed by. the altering of one of the few remaining symbols of Canadian nationalism. The new logo (see Fig. 4) was adopted to remind potential customers that CP Rail is a major North American Carrier, not restricted to north ofthe Great Lakes. CP Rail's main rival Canadian National also went "continent wide" with its new logo which includes a map of North America. (the beginnings ofNAFTA?)

(submitted by Peter Edwards)

CP l!i!!!t!t! Rail logos go continental

FIG. 4

FLAGS AT THE 1993 OLYMPIC FESTIVAL By John H. Gamez

Every non-Olympic year the U.S. Olympic Committee holds the Olym­pic Festival. These events are important to young athletes as they prepare for u.s. Olympic Team selection.

Until this year the Olympic Festival did not have a distinctive flag. This was remedied by Sally Kellerman atDixie Flag. The new 6' x 10' white flag bears the ,red and blue Olympic Festival logo (Fig. I).

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FIG. 1 (Courtesy of Dixie Flag Manu. Co)

The only drawback to the flag is that the logo of each succeeding festival will be placed on the flag. Festival organizers believe that this will have a bonding effect on cities hosting the festivals. This reporter believes that they overlooked the problem of replacing flags after many years of festivals when such a flag would be covered with logos. Another set of flags thaI adorned the various festival venues were 3' x S' flags with the logo of this year's festival. The logo (Fig. 2) rendered in white was centered on monochrome flags of either royal blue, columbia blue, burnt orange, red. or golden yellow.

'~ SAN ANTONI~

U.S. Olympic Festival .. 'f!~ FIG. 2

As in other Olympic events, the logo for the '93 festival says something of the host site. The light blue and orange used for the Olympic torch and flame respectively, are nol colors associated with San Antonio. The flame. however, forms the silhouette of the ubiquitous symbol of San Antonio - the Alamo.

The logo appeared on a variety of banners. Ranging from the official souvenir pennant (Fig. 3) to avenue banners that festooned city streets.

FIG. 3

NAVA NEWS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1994 PAGE 5

THE GREAT FLAG DEBATE (ATTHE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE)

By Janet Hodgson

FIG. 1 The University's first "unofficial" flag reportedly . dates to 1915.

A symbol, according to Webster' sNew Collegiate DictionalY. is a token of identity and one of the symbols at times identified with the University of Louisville is a flag.

Two flags, not one, appear to be associated with the University and replicas of both are being presexved in the. University Archives. The first reportedly dates from 1915 and the second came into being in 1957. The earlier or "L" flag, has a large cardinal and black"L" centered on a background of cardinal over black, the colors divided diagonally from the

. upper left to the lower right corners of the rectangle. An archival source reports that this flag was made during the summerof1915 byU ofL student Charles Dore and his mother.

In 1957, there came the opportunity to design, or redesign as the case came to be, a flag for the University through a gift. The gift purchased flags and flagpoles for a University flag, along with a like number of city flags, to fly on the lawn in front of the administrative building on Belknap Campus, today known as Grawemeyer Hall. The design of the flag was done by Dr. Walter Creese, an architectural historian and a professor in the Fine Arts Department from 1946-1958. The basic idea, according to Creese, "was that

FIG. 2 In 1957, Dr. Walter Creese, oftke Fine Arts Department, offered U of L 's current "unofficial" flag, whick

was designed to harmonize with the City of Louisville flag. Photos by Dennis Robinson

PAGE 6 NAVA NEWS JANUARYIFEBRUARY 1994

the flag should harmonize with the City of Louisville flag. Gold was added to the traditional University colors of cardinal and black and a golden sunburst was placed in the upperleft. In the center of this was the date 1798, printed in black, connecting the initial founding of the UniverSIty with strong French cultural influence at the time, as does the name LOUIS­VILLE. Golden olive branches were placed on the right, similar to the fleur- ( de-lis on the city flag and eight stars circled the sunburst, an abbreviation of the forty-eight stars on the then United States flag."

This flag, along with the city flag, still flies from poles at the Third Street entrance to Belknap Campus, but it is of interest that the University does not appear to have an official flag. According to the Board of Trustees minutes of November 15, 1961, it was resolved, "that the University of Louisville has never adopted a University Flag; that the red flag with gold sunburst now displayed on the Campus, and all duplicated therefore, is not and never has been the flag of the University."

The University is interested in receiving information and items from its past. To find out more, please call or write University Archives, University of Louisville, Louisvi1Ie, Kentucky 40292, (502) 588-6674.

Janet Hodgson is an associate archivist with University Archives. (submitted by Theodore Spilman, From the: University of Louisville

Alumni Magazine 1993)

*****

GOLDEN GATE AREA VEXILLOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

MEETS IN SEPTEMBER

Always A gracious host, Martin Francis once again entertained the third quarter GA VA meeting in his "Flag Home" Gust behind his living home). Martin started the meeting with a video of Judge John T. Ball giving a address at the annual San Leandro Flag Day Ceremonies, 12 June .1993. He then shared a letter of congratulations written to him from the National Territory of Australia and extended an invitation to all of GA V A to join him in walking the Golden Gate Bridge with aU .S. Flag. He also showed several Australian Posters, most with flags.

Ron Hesson showed his newest T-shirt with African Flags, the new Afghanistan (4" x 6"), the new book "Star Spangled Banner" recently published by National Geographic, the new flag of Labrador and the new Rand McNally Atlas showing new flags.

Scot Guenter reported on his recent experience at the FIAV meeting and voiced his concern at the concept of Heraldry vs Vexillology that emerged there. Also the proposal of the European Flag Organizations meeting once each year was not met with great favor. Scot showed several books and displayed his newest T-shirt of the Torres Strait Flag. He also reported on the progress on the "RA YEN" publication.

Phil Allen posed the question of is there an organization which studies emblems? He also reported on the Berkeley Sister City display and no Berkeley City Flag.

Rich Kenny shared news articles sent by Steve Tyson and told of the discoveryofa33 Star U.S. Flag, in the archives of the Quincy, CA Historical Society which has on the back the names of "McCLELLAN and PENDLETON, the Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates who ran against President Lincoln in 1864. The flag was documented to its production by the ladies of the Quincy Democratic Society in 1860. An exciting find.

('

(GA VA had 5 members attending the NA VA C.onvention in Portland, ~._ ME 8-11 October which matched the host organization.)

Phil Allen hosted the last meeting of the year on December 5 in BERKELEY,CA.

(submitted by Rich Kenny)

LETTERS ... Dear Ms. Cooper: I am aNA V A member. Could you print the following in the next issue? The editor ofMontana MaBazine has asked me to write a series of articles

about Big Sky symbols - the state flower, bird, etc. In one article, I will speculate on the adoption of additional symbols in the future. I have been given the go-ahead to include a critique of Montana's state flag and seal in this article. My complaints are the usual: Though of undeniable historic value, the symbols are not that unique or attractive and don't really represent today's Montana.

Anyway, if you have any input or would like to create a design for inclusion in the article, I'd like to hear from you. The series will be run over a span of about two years. I could fit this article in at the end, but I'd kind oflike to see it printed earlier. My f!fst article, an introduction to the series, is tentatively scheduled for May 1994. Thus, an article about Montana's flag could appear in July 1994 at the earliest.

Thanks! Sincerely, David Blomstrom P.O. Box 95465, Seattle, WA 98145 (206) 527-1690

Dear Grace, Actually the bylaws no longer say anything about NA V A having no

commercial, political, or religious objectives. Section 1.03 states, "The association shall have those purposes and limitations stated in the articles of incorporation." The old bylaws provision you cited was eliminated because it duplicated language in the articles of incorporation, which of course, "trumps" any contrary provision in the bylaws.

The original articles of incorporation had no restrictions on NAV A's purposes, but the membership voted on September 7, 1969, to approve the following statement: "This corporation shall discharge only those functions which are construed as charitable, scientific, and/or educational under Section 501 (c) (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1954." With this action of the membership, NAV A applied for and received articles of amendment to the articles of incorporation from the Illinois Secretary of State on October 29, 1969. The reason for all this was to qualify NA VA for tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service. I seriously doubt it had anything to do with restricting scholarly research and writing, but, of course, I was not at the meeting.

NA VA's purposes remain as stated in its original articles of incorpora­tion, which were approved on March 19, 1968:

The purpose or purposes for which the corporation is organized are: To promote vexillology as the scientific study of flags, including, but not limited to, the bringin~ into closer cooperation any and all persons inter­ested in any and all aspects of flags, such as their history, significance, specification, use, and manufacturing; the furthering of a strong and growing interest in flags as a serious study or an avocation; promotion of research into the origins, history, and symbolism of flags; publications on flags and vexillology; formulation of standards for flag terminology, methodology, and data recording; cooperation with other vexillological associations, agencies, and research centers, and foundations of whatever type; and representation ofvexillologists of North America on an interna­tionallevel.

Nothing in NAVA's articles of incorporation, as amended, orits bylaws prohibits the discussion of vexillological matters that are commercial, political, or religious in nature. NA V A could even have overt political and religious objectives and not jeopardize its tax-exempt status (of course, becoming a commercial enterprise WOUld). What limits NA V A from

. promoting religious or political causes is the statement that NAVA is organized to promote vexillology as the scientific study of flags.

National and state flags are inherently "political" by nature. In my opinion, it is impossible to engage in a serious discussion about vexillology if that debate is limited to a mere recitation of cold, bloodless "facts." If NA V A is more than a mere club for flag collectors, then NA V A must scientifically study and report on the commercial, political, and religious aspects ofvexiJlology, but not actively advance or promote any particular view on such matters.

Now, editorial discretion about what to print is a different matter, and I willingly differ to your experience and wisdom on what NA V A members do

and do not want to read! As always, I sincerely appreciate your hard work and dedication to

NA V A and look fOIWard to seeing you again in Portland. Sincerely, Charles Adkin Spain, Jr. 1512 Woodlawn Boulevard No.3 Austin, Texas 78703-3345

Editor's Note: I have never seen a copy of the "articles of incorporation" and I'm sure there are other members who have not; these should be published.

NAVA MEMBERS .. .lN THE NEWS

KW COUPLE CLAIMS FASCINATION FOR HISTORY, SYMBOLISM OF FLAGS

Story by Janice Lance

Webster-Kirkwood Times - Missouri - Bruce and Barbara Druckenmiller of Kirkwood represented the local Gateway League Vexillologists at the NAVA annual meeting in Portland, Maine in October. The Druckenmillers also represented NA VA and The National Flag Foundation at the Interna­tional Flag Congress held in Zurch, Switzerland last August.

ABOUT WILLIAM DRIVER For Whom our Driver Award is Named

If you want to know about William Driver, stop in your doctor's office and pick up the July 1993 issue of Smithsonian Magazine while you wait. The article "Around the Mall and Beyond", is filled with interesting facts (and some myths) about this Massachusetts sea captain and the flag he cal1ed "Old Glory".

William Driver was born March 17, 1803, and at age BY, was appren­ticed by his father to a blacksmith. "One Sunday," Driver wrote, "the smith's wife put me in a brown muslin shirt with a rumed bosom, and then hurried me off to Sunday School. I cut the ruffies off my shirt and made straight for the big ship ~ which was just heaving anchor, and shipped' for cabin boy." ... Driver worked hard through the years, got his master's papers and on his 21 st birthday was given a big, beautiful flag by his mother and the "Salem girls." That same year Driver was also given his first command. His crew ran the new flag up to the rigging of the vessel, and their young skipper - so goes the story - shouted, "We'll call her 'Old Glory' boys."

(Original article submitted by Steve Tyson)

THE STAMP ACT From Cartoon Histoty of The American Revolution by Michael Wynn

Jones, G.P. Putnam's Sons, NY, 1975, Whitney Smith sends the "Funeral of Miss Ame-Stamp (Stamp Act) in a vault reserved for similar infringements on freedom At the head of the group is Dr. Scott, Lord Sandwich's chap lain

and an eager pamphleteer on behalf of the Stamp Act. Next, bearing standards on which the white rose of the Jacobites and the Scotch thistle are intertwined, come two pillars of the law, Wedderburn and Fletcher Norton, Solicitor-General and Attorney-General re­spectively .... "

NAVA NEWS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1994 PAGE 7

EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT Scot M. Guenter 201 S. Fourth st., #617 San Jose, CA 95112 (408) 295-1425

VICE PRESIDENT Rich Kenny 4412 Masterson Street Oakland, CA 94619 (415) 531-5170

CORRESPONDING SEC'Y. Mary Ann Docktor-Smnh 4949 W. Diversey Avenue Chica90, IL 60639 (312) 237-4574

RECORDING SEC'Y. Peter B. Edwards 117 Airdrie Road Toronto, ON M4G 1M6 Canada (416)423-9979

TREASURER Charles "Kin" Spain, J r. 1512 Woodlawn Blvd., #3 Austin, TX 78703-3345 (512) 482-8374

CONSULTANTS (PastNAVA Presldems) Dr. Whitney Smith (1967-77) Rev. D. Ralph Spence (1977-78) Rev. John R. B. Szala (1978-80) Robert S. Gauron (1980-81) Dr. John M. Purcell (1981-83)

. Grace R. Cooper (1983-86) Doreen Braverman (1986-87) WOW. Ridgway (1987-89) Donald T. Healy (1989-91) .

Historian - Mark Liss PlII1imenlarlan • Don Healy Protocol Oftlcer • Jim Ferrigan Reg. Agent, st. of IL • Ernest Aitchison

NAVA News 1977 North Olden Ave. Suite 225

1993-1994 COMMITTEES

NOMINATING COMMITTEE John Gamez, Chair Michael Halleran Whitney Smnh

AUDITING COMMITTEE Gus Tracchia, Chair Lynn Knights Peter Kinderman

BUDGET COMMITTEE Nick Artimovich, Chair Kin Spain Dave Pawson

MMUNG COMMITTEE Jon Radel, Chair Kin Spain Nick Artimovich

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Mary Ann Docktor·Smith, Chair Harry Oswald Kin Spain

PUBUCATIONS COMMITTEE Grace Cooper, Chair, NAVA News Donald Healy Jon Radel, RAVEN

PUBUCIlY COMMITTEE Mary Ann Doclctor-Sm~h, Chair Kevin Harrington Don Klet!

SPEC. COMMITTEE ON CONT. COOP. Gus Tracchia, Chair Michael Halleran Kevin Harrington Jim Ferrigan Annie Platoff

NAVA28-PORTLAND,OR Harry Osward, Chair, Host Rich Kenny, Program Michael Hale

Trenton, NJ 08618 U.S.A. ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

EDITOR'S NOTES ... Phil Allen, 2140 Shattuck Ave. #2084, Berkeley, CA, 94704, is another

NA V A member that has offered to draw flags to illustrate your article for NA V A News. Phil even offers to draw the flag either flat or showing some movement in a breeze, Send all the pertinent information to him.

We need to hear from you; tell us about your research, your collections, or an interesting flag book you have read. Newspaper articles are most usable if you will digest them for me, Most printed articles must have pennission from the source to reprint as is. Please get the pennission before you submit the article. Remember to type articles and double space. Line drawings show up much better in black and white printing than most color photographs. Newspaper photos do !lot make good illustrations especially if there is heavy printing on the reverse side.

The deadline for the MarchiApril1994 NAVA News is February 5. Please mail to 509 68th Street, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.

© 1993 by the North American VexilIological Association (NAVA). ISSN 1053-3338. Material appearing in NAVA News does not neces­sarily reflect the policy or opinion ofNA V A, the executive board, or the editor. Infonnation concerning permission to reprint articles is available from the editor.

FIRST -CLASS MAlL U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Reston, VA

Permit No. 6042

NAVA FLAG First-Class Mail

NA VA NEWS EDITOR Grace R. Cooper HeR 62, Box 43A Great Cacapon, WV 25422 304/947-7622

PAGE 8 NAVA NEWS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1994

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