The second speaker at the joint meeting between the Greater Waters Association of Vexillology and the Chesapeake Bay Flag Association was Dale Grimes, Jr. The title of his presentation was World War II Navy Flags Made on Mare Island.
Mare Island was the US Navy's first Pacific Naval Base. It is about 25 miles north of San Francisco. It functioned from 1854 until 1996. It's first Naval Commander was from Tennessee - David Farragut who became famous at the battle of Mobil Bay in 1861 with the quote, "Dam the torpedoes, full speed ahead."
Dale Grimes talking about his historic and important Naval Flag Collection
However Mr. Grimes' presentation focused upon his vast collection of US Navy Flags of WWII. We were shown a delightful collection of banners and ensigns that 'saw' action in WWII.
A joint meeting between two vexillological groups took place at Wheeling, West Virginia on the weekend of November 13, 2010. It was held between the Great Waters Association of Vexillology and the Chesapeake Bay Flag Association. The first day of the meeting took place at the historic West Virginia Independence Hall.
Nearly 150 years earlier a pro-Union Virginian congress met at this location, in spring of 1861. An important delegate of the 'Anti-Confederate Virginia Congress' was a cousin of Stonewall Jackson - John Jay Jackson.
1936 National Geographic Issue Photo of an Authentic Son's of Liberty Flag?
The first speaker was Peter Ansoff. The title of his presentation was No Primary Reference: The Flag of the Sons of Liberty. In 1936 National Geographic published a photo of a supposed authentic Son's of Liberty Flag from the Revolutionary Era. However the sewing method and condition of the flag was inconsistent with flags made in the 1760s.
Mr. Ansoff also discussed the selection process for the NAVA 44 meeting flag.
Part of an Authentic Announcement for Son's of Liberty Meeting from 1760s
Roswell may be famous for UFO and little green men, but this city in the desert has one of the most striking city flags one could come across.
It recycles the state flag's Zia Pueblo design. This flag looks more like fine modern art than a patriotic display of community pride.
If you find yourself voluntarily in Roswell, New Mexico be sure to snap some photos of this post-zen art flag.
The city seal is also artfully designed. Local city flags and seals have a higher chance of mutating. I hope the good people of Roswell, New Mexico keep things steady.
One can't help think that the rays of light shooting out of the Zia Sun Cross are extra terrestrial waves of energy beaming up some lonely hikers or special education teachers?
The following video is about the presentation I gave at the joint meeting between the CBFA & GWAV that meet at Wheeling West Virginia, 2010. CBFA stands for Chesapeake Bay Flag Association and the GWAV stands for Greater Waters Association of Vexillology.
Almost all the flags for Joint Chiefs of Staff show a Yin-Yangic phenotype.
To the right is the seal of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In the center is the American shied without stars. There are four swords - two pointing upwards and two crossed at 45 degrees. In a circle surrounding swords are a bunched olive leaves.
These flags can be paired via my 'flag symmetry' concept.
Chief of Staff of the US Army Flag
Sergeant Major of the Army Flag
This is a union of the highest ranking officer of the Army with the top ranked NCO of the Army. The Army's Sergeant Major is one of two enlisted soldiers allowed to carry a colour - a flag.
The Chief of Naval Operations Flag
Commandant of the Coast Guard Flag
This is union of the highest ranking US Naval Officer with the highest ranking Coast Guard Officer.
The Chief of Staff Flag of the USAF
Flag of the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman
Oddly the top officer in US Air Force is partnered with the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Joint Chief of Staff. The shades of blue are slightly different. The Senior Enlisted Advisor is supposed to the highest ranking NCO within all military branches. The Senior Enlisted Advisor can be either a Marine, Sailor, Airman, or Coast Guardsman. The Senior EnlistedAdvisor is the only other enlisted soldier allowed to carry a flag besides the Army's Sergent Major.
The Flag for the Chairman of the JCS
Vice Chairman's Flag of the JCS
The Chairman & Vice Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff pair up. But only the flag of the Chairman exhibits a Yin-Yangic pattern.
If you are interested in joining the US Military or Coast Guard check out these websites
On March 18, 1981 a new Super Hero was born. In the aftermath of the American cultural revolution of the 60s and funk of the 70s - came the Greatest American Hero. This television show aired until the day after Ground Hog Day in 1983.
The basic jist was an unassuming well meaning special education teacher was drafted by 'higher powers' to show the world how great America could be. His name was Ralph and he reluctantly took on the role. His missteps and bumbling into the role of superhero was comical and at the same time inspirational. The team up of crusaders were a yin-yang odd couple - one guy looked like a 'swim with wales and save the earth' type while the other guy was a meat eating, gun toting, patriot.
In the first episode several flags were shown. The first scene starts with a dune buggy chase. An FBI agent is being pursued by a group of heavily armed shaved heads guys and gals. The flag on their buggies is a pennant.
The colours are black, white, and silver. Harmoniously the letters G & A are artistically combined with a sword. What does the G & A stand for? We don't know. It oddly aligns with Greatest American, minus the hero.
In the first episode two other flags shown are the US Federal Flag and the Flag of California at Whitney High, which is rumored to named after the highest peak in California, Mt. Whitney.
Flag of the misguided militant Christians and the FBI agent who gives Ralph the suit from another world
Long story short, Ralph is chosen to wear the outfit of the 'Greatest American Hero.' The colours of his outfit are red, white, and black. On his chest is the insignia which looks like the Chinese Character for 'middle.' Apparently the symbol was inspired by the handle portion of a pair of scissors.
Others flags shown in the pilot episode are the US flag, and California State Flag.
Close up of California Cult Flag
Video Montage & Credits of the Greatest American Hero
