Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
USWVA Flag |
Object Name |
Flag |
Description |
USWVA Flag. Red and gold satin flag (a), with pole (b), and pole extension (c). Flag (a) is mostly red in the front and completely yellow on the back. On the front, written at the top of the flag in gold lettering, "Unite Spanish War Veterans / Auxiliary." On the bottom is written, " Department of California," also in gold lettering. In the middle of the flag is a round, gold emblem. Along the outer edges there are black leaves stitched into the fabric to create an image of a gold wreath. In the middle is a white cross with eight red triangles, outlined in gold, extending out from the edges. In the middle of the cross is another emblem; this one, outlined in gold, has a blue ring with the words "National / Auxiliary / U.S.W.V." written in gold lettering. On the inside of the emblem is a crudely stitched image with three figures standing on a shore. The figure on the left is dressed in a military uniform with a tall, wide-brimmed hat and is holding a rifle in both hands. The figure in the middle is kneeling with his arms extended out to touch the side of the figure on the left and hold the hand of the figure on the right. The figure on the right is wearing sailor uniform with a flat hat with his right arm down to his side. The pole (b) is inside the left side of the flag. Protruding from the top is a spear-like end with a gold patina and gold rope and tassels tied around it. The pole extension (c) is aluminum. There is a small sticker on the metal that says in very faded lettering "Hortie-Van / 1926 MFG. Co / PA...A, CA 91107." |
Date |
c. 1926 - 1990 |
Creator |
Hortie-Van Innovations Manufacturing |
Role |
Manufacturer |
Catalog Number |
2017.049.001 |
Dimensions |
H-58 W-51 inches |
Dimension Details |
58 x 51 (a), 56.5 x 1.25 x 1.25 (b, height measured from tip of spear), 48.5 x 1.25 x 1.25 (c) |
Collection |
3D - Ceremonial Objects |
Inscription Text |
"UNITED SPANISH WAR VETERANS / AUXILIARY" (sewed in gold fabric along the top if the flag, "auxiliary" is written in a larger font); "DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA " (sewed in gold fabric along the bottom of the flag, "of" is smaller than the rest); "NATIONAL / AUXILIARY / U.S.W.V." (sewed in gold fabric in a circle, in between each word is a gold star); "HORTIE-VAN / 1926 MFG CO. / PA...A, CA 91107" (printed onto a sticker on the aluminum pole extension, letters are faded, it appears to have been written in yellow but the coloring is so faded that it is difficult to tell the original color). |
Provenance |
Flag was carried by the Capt. H. J. Reilly Auxiliary #70 until its retirement in 1982 |
Notes |
"The United Spanish War Veterans, (1904-1992), consisted of veterans who served in the Spanish-American War, Philippine-American War, and the Chinese Relief Expedition. The organization was formed by condensing many smaller fraternal organizations into national organizations beginning in 1904. The United Spanish War Veterans existed until 1992 when the last member passed away. The Auxiliary unit of the United Spanish War Veterans was organized before the Spanish War Veterans. A group of women in Cleveland, Ohio, organized at the time of the Spanish War to aid the men in camps, meet the trains and minister to the sick on the return home. This organization was chartered in 1904. The organization was structured on the same lines as the United Spanish War Veterans, having national departments and local auxiliaries. Those eligible for membership were mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters of Spanish War Veterans, and nurses and women who performed patriotic service during the Spanish-American War." [http://ead.ohiolink.edu/xtf-ead/view?docId=ead/OCLWHi0061.xml;chunk.id=bioghist_1;brand=default 10/05/2017] Capt. H. J. Reilly Auxiliary #70 was originally established in San Francisco, Ca, and consisted of mostly commission officers. The auxiliary was named in honor of Captain H. J Reilly, who was killed in action in China during the Boxer Rebellion. Tmost recent incarnation of the auxiliary was established in November of 1923 in Redwood City, Ca. [2017.049.018.10 10/05/2017] Another document states that the auxiliary was founded in its current form on August 28, 1926 [2017.049.018.1 10/05/2017]. "Marie Bendeich, who, at 94, is the last living member of the Captain H. J. Reilly Auxiliary No.70, United Spanish War Veterans, made up the decision to retire the flags. They will be stored at the San Mateo County Historical Museum... Once Numbered 45, has dwindled to five... Mary B. Rudd, Secretary of Auxiliary 70, was master of ceremonies." [Peninsula Times Tribune, June 21, 1982, pg. B-3n] "Mary Rudd, the oldest of five children (three girls and two boys) of Mr. and Mrs. James J. Butler, was born in the Phillipine Islands. Because her father made the Army his career, the family moved frequently untill he retired as Captain after World War I... Mary was a member of the United Spanish War Veterans of Veterans Auxiliary (1934) Past President of Tulare Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign War, #2002 (1940) Past president of Cpl. James L. Wilson Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign Wars #2310 in Redwood City, 1947, 1970, 1971, Past President of the San Mateo-Santa Clara Counties Council 1955 Past District President of the 12th District 1976-77, Past Gray-back of the Goldbug Cootiette 1962-1963 and Past President of the Sequoia Yacht Club Auxiliary 1950. She is currently serving as treasurer of the Cpl. James L. Wilson Auxiliary Department quarter-master of the Daughters of '98 since 1982 and has benn Secretary of AARP Chapter 3137 Redwood City... She was a volunteer at the San Fernando Veterans Hospital before moving to the Peninsula. Since August 1941 she has been a volunteer at the Menlo Park and Palo Alto Veterans Hospitals. She was recently awarded a pin and a certificate of Merit at the V.A. Luncheon in Palo Alto," [2017.049.018.4 10/05/2017] Hortie-Van Innovations Manufacturing is a well-known flag maker and has been in business since 1926 [http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A4grLYnNdu4/SB0iTX5ZwjI/AAAAAAAAAYc/NVQ1G0bSjM0/s320/20080504+Hortie-Van+2.jpg 10/05/2017] |
Search Terms |
captain H. J. Reilly Auxiliary #70 Redwood City Rudd, Mary San Mateo County San Mateo County - History United Spanish War Veterans |
Subjects |
Charitable organizations Flagpoles Flags Military organizations Military parades & ceremonies Organizations Veterans Veterans' organizations |
People |
Rudd, Mary B. |
Credit line |
Courtesy of the Captain H.J.Reilly Auxiliary |