#7. Neḥushtan at Sea: What is Fouling that Anchor?—Bard Cosman

Bard Cosman gave a fascinating paper on the icon of the fouled anchor.  He ascribed it to Biblical origins.  A popular design for flags and in heraldry is a snake on an anchor. Cosman described its connections and symbolism, that can swing between being a rope and being a snake.

Cosman showed us several examples of the snake on the cross or staff, which was known as the Brazen serpent or nehushtan. Although snakes and serpents are associated with evil it is quite ironic that this symbol has also become a symbol of good, almost like a Yin and Yang.

 Below Cosman showed us an illustration of the Anchor and it use as printer's marks as the 'Sacred Anchor' of Christ.

NAVA 54: Presenting NAVA 55:Next Year's Meeting at St. Augustine, again, by Amber Atteberry

Like all NAVA meetings, a presentation for the next NAVA meeting was given.  Amber Atteberry gave an overview of the facility at appropriately named Flagler College.  There is a planned visit to the oldest masonry fort in the United States: the Castle of St. Mark (Castillo de San Marcos).

Flagler college is supreme college of elegance. 

#6. United States Revenue-Marine and Customs Flags: A New Perspective—David B. Martucci

Can you spot the correct 16 striped Cutter flag?

David B. Martucci was the 6th presenter at NAVA 54.  His topic delved into the story of the Marine Revenue Cutter flag, which is now used as an Ensign by the US Coast Guard.  This flag can trace its origins back to when Oliver Wolcott, Jr. was the Secretary of the Treasury. 

This flag received it official prescription on August 1, 1799.  It described this flag with 16 perpendicular stripes of alternate red and white with the Arms of the United States in the canton to be dark blue and on a white field.

Martucci pointed out, since the official description of the flag in 1799 had 16 stripes because there were 16 states in the Union.  Likewise many flags of the USA had 16 stripes as well. 

By the time 1818 rolled around the US had 21 states.  Thus many US flags has 21 stars with 21 stripes.  With too many stripes, the US flag was given its final modern design algorythm by Captain Samuel Reid; it states that the stripes would remain as 13 for history and the canton would add stars as states were included. 

The Revenue Cutter Marine also appeared on the Seal of several government organizations.  From 1874 until 1900 it was on the right side of the US Treasury Department Seal as used on Customs Documents from 1874 to 1900.  Likewise the US Customs Service Seal used it sometime in the 1880s and 1890s.

Note that before income taxes, a lot of cash for the government was raised with this 'Guardian Paramilitary Entry Port Custom's Duty Force'  better known as the Revenue Cutter Service.

Dave Martucci at NAVA 54 Online with Library of Congress - Can you spot the correct 16 striped Cutter flag?

 Later in the day the Revenue Cutter Service flag for the Confederacy was shown during last presentation by Jim Farrigan.  The Confederate Revenue cutter flag had seven stars in the canton and looked remarkably like to flag of France, minus the stars. 

Further details of Martucci's presentation is scheduled to a appear in an up coming issue of Vexillum.  Martucci was the president of  NAVA from 1998-2004. 


 Link to Martucci's Website:
http://www.vexman.net 

#5. The Unwaved Flag in Churches—Benjamin Nickodemus

Benjamin Nickodemus gave a paper on an observation a European immigrant to the United States who experienced culture shock in many of the US Churches he visited.  The shocking element was the placement of the US flag near the holy of holy altars.  Not all churches in the US have flags in the church, but many set it on one of the flanking sides.  Although the US may pride herself on separation of the state and church, many churches are actively pro-inclusive to include symbols of the state in their church.

Nickodemus pointed out that many churches also fly the church flag along side the US flag, which is a white field with a blue canton and red cross.  However, Catholic Churches do not fly the 'protestant' Christian flag, instead they sometimes fly the Vatican flag, which is usually nowhere near the holy of holy altars.

Although the US promotes the separation of Church and State it may seem peculiar to some, that highest symbol of the state would be in a Church.  On the other hand, the use of Christian imagery within the state is ever so present.  Many legislative leaders are sworn in upon the Bible, likewise Christmas is a recognized Federal holiday.  Also note, US federal government does not recognize any Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Shinto or Native American Religious Holiday—only Christian Holidays.  

#4. The American Thin Blue Line Flag: A Controversial Success Story—Scott Mainwaring

The fourth NAVA 54 presentation was given by Scott Mainwaring.  Mainwaring gave the award winning William Driver presentation of NAVA 54 on the topic of the American Thin Blue Line flag.  The known history and over all impact of this flag was providentially timed, due to the current cultural crisis facing America and the Western World, with the issues of police brutality and racial injustice.

Much of the popularity of the Thin Blue Line US Flag can be traced to the efforts of Andrew Jacob.  Jacob created the flag in 2014 and had the marketing know how, to push it to market as a freshman at the University of Michigan.  The original design may have come from a flag patch that was inspired by the US or UK flag patch.

 Another point of inspiration for the Thin Blue Line American flag is its derivation from the original black and blue police flag.  The horizontal tribar of black, blue, and black honors officers that have fallen in the line of duty. Likewise the black and blue flag is the older thin blue line flag that represents all persons in law enforcement, irrespective of nationality.

Mainwaring also showed us that the thin blue line flag was replicated across national borders. To the left, versions of The Thin Blue Line flag for the UK, Canada, are Philippines visible.  


Tje video below was also presented online.  Scott pointed out this is one of the few unofficial flags to have quasi-official backing from the police department.


Dr. Mainwaring's Website
http://scottmainwaring.com

US Library of Congress Librarian - Elizabeth Brown

The computer app that hosted NAVA 54 was generously provided by Library of US Congress librarian Elizabeth Brown.  Brown used the Cisco webex to host NAVA 54.  Brown also gave us a lesson on using the Library of Congress's online features for research.  Note that you don't have to be member of Congress of access the library's vast reservoir of books, images, and other media.

Brown demonstrated how to search the Library of Congress website.  The example she provided was about You're a Grand Old Flag 1906 by George M. Cohan.  It originally was called You're a Grand Old Rag.  However due to peer pressure for reverence of the US flag, Rag was replaced with Flag.

#3. Surprise visit to Dublin: a virtual tour of a flag conservator’s studio—Rachel Phelan

The third scheduled presentation was a virtual tour of Rachel Phelan's conservator's studio in Dublin, Ireland.  Much of her presentation centered on recent Irish immigrants to the United States who participated in the US Civil War.  The Irish participated on both sides of the conflict, but the majority fought for the North.  Many of the Irish-American units had green banners that used popular Irish icons to indicate their Irish heritage.

Phelan gave us a short tour of the conservation studio where historical flags and other items were being restored.  To the left, you can see a Civil War flag presented to the Irish Brigade inducted in New York during the month of November 1862.  Notice the Irish harp, sunburst, and shamrocks.

It reads: Presented by Citizens of New York in the 69th NYV (4th Regiment of the Irish Brigade)   Brigadier Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher. Commanding.  Below in cursive it reads: In grateful appreciation of their gallant and brilliant conduct on the Battle Fields of Virginia Maryland in the War to maintain National Domain and American Union.