ICV 27: Memorial Service for Whitney Smith

 
It was during the outing to the Lyndon B. Johnson library that I ended up sitting next to a friendly elderly man.  I was delighted to have a deep conversation and make human contact, since it was my first NAVA meeting; I was feeling rather lonely since I was a complete stranger to everyone.  The odd thing is that the friendly gentleman never told me his name.

The next day, the man I sat next to upon the bus gave a thoughtful presentation at the state capital, Austin, on the future of vexillology.  I then asked the person sitting next to me who that speaker was, and I was told that it was Whitney Smith.

Like in the movies when the hero puts it all together, my head spun in circles as my memories played themselves in virtual-reverse.  Little did I know, that I was sitting next to the man honored today, whose wake created this league of international vexillology. 


A small service was held at Holy Trinity Church, Prince Consort Road, London next to Albert Hall.

The service was lead by John Hall, and several vexillologists spoke about Whitney's legacy as a professional and as a friend.

Here, the flag of Whitney Smith lays at the speakers podium.  It was a solemn service that included the song of one of Whitney Smith's favorite singers, Buddy Holly, Rain in My Heart.

This post and this blog exists here as a testament to legacy of Whitney Smith.  I am forever grateful to him and his family.

I first met Whitney at NAVA's 42nd meeting in Austin, Texas 2008 as the friendly gentleman on the bus.  At the end of the NAVA meeting, I ran into Whitney once again.  I took a photo of him holding my mock book, which you can see on the first post on this blog.

Like Smith, I'm also a fan of Buddy Holly. Coincidentally I attended a play about Buddy Holly, back in 1991, when our marching band visited London; we were selected to play at the Royal Albert Hall and march in the Westminster's New Year's Day parade.  On top of that I stayed at the dorm of Imperial College next to Albert Hall, Beit Hall.

One my favorite Buddy Holly songs is the timeless gem, Everyday 1958.

ICV 27: Flags of The World Meeting

Issues about new software were discussed.

ICV 27 - Speaker 30: Stan Zamyatin

 

Zamyatin spoke about the various county flags in Ireland with his paper County Flags of Ireland. Zamyatin noted that county colours are often more important than the heraldic icons are symbols upon the various flags.

Stan also noted that the Yew Tree is an ancient symbol of Ireland, which better represents the Emerald Isle rather than the official Oak Tree which can be confused the Oak of England.  Zamyatin pointed out that colours often have a tribal essence that go deeper than the design.  This was demonstrated with sporting flags wearing colours like tribesmen yet being of different nations. 

Zamyatin ended his presetation with a colour act by wearing flag of Portugal with a headband.

ICV 27 - Speaker 29: Uros Zizmund

Two flags and proposals for Slovenia were presented with his paper Two Flags, Two Proposals: a New System of National and Rank Flags of Slovenia.  Typically one flag is proposed to replace an existing flag, but Zizmund presented two flags for Slovenia.  The need for a new flag has arisen since the Slovenian flag looks like the Slovak and Russian flags. 

In addition to the new designs, applications for the military and rank flags were proposed in succession to the newly proposed flags.

Could we be looking at the future flag of Slovenia?  Only time will tell. 

ICV 27 - Speaker 28: Patrice de La Condamine

 

The subject of women and flags were presented in his paper entitled Flags and the Woman. Condamine focused on portrayal of women on flags.  They can be seem of patriotic or rather "matriotic" heroines, religiously, warriors, motherly images, and many other ways.

He noted that although Islamic statues forbids the portrayal of women in forms, one flag in Egypt has the statue bust of Nefertiti upon it.  Caondmine also pointed out several flags from Nazi Germany and North Korea that used women to inspire and represent the people.

Patrice also pointed out some fun flags, which included the proverbial tri-skelleton flag for the opposing gender the Isle of Woman.  

ICV 27 - Speaker 27: Avelino Couceiro Rodriguez

 

The flags were discussed about the origins of Puerto Rico and Cubs.  Although Rodriguez was not able to present his paper, in his steed the program coordinator Ian Sumner was able to give a fascinating summary of Avelino's work.

These flags have their origins in by dictation from a person who was Venezuelan. Since many Spanish Colonies were fighting against Spain there was a common sentiment of brotherhood.  However the Spanish Colonies never reached the maximums as they did in the United States or Canada.

Another interesting point was the effect of Fosfenia, in the creation of the these flags.  Fosfenia happens when the after image is retained after one closes ones eyes.  This is easily noticed when one still sees the flash from a camera or when one looks at a bright light.  

ICV 27 - Speaker 26: Ales Brozek

Brozek spoke flags in rowing clubs in the Czech.  Brozek's paper was entitled The Survey of Flags Used by Rowing Clubs in the Czech Republic.

Brozek presented an overview of the flags used by rowing clubs.  Interestingly he showed up flags of rowing clubs for the blind.

It was a colourful display in interesting and unique flags.