Quote:
Jacqueline Leeker
Published: April 14, 2009
Since the beginning of the Revolution, heraldic and military symbols have been used by military forces and organizational elements of the government. One of the most recognizable symbols is the Presidential Seal.
Presidential seals are most often seen on the lectern at presidential press conferences and on the sides of Air Force One and Marine One. They are made at Fort Belvoir’s Institute of Heraldry.
The institute’s mission is to furnish heraldic services to the armed forces and other U.S. government organizations, including the Executive Office of the President.
“We are the only organization in the federal government that provides heraldic services to the federal government, and supports all within the Department of Defense,” said Charles Mugno, the institute’s director.
It generally takes about 40 hours to complete a seal. But, the process occurs over several weeks to allow the plaque to undergo various chemical processes and the paint to dry. TIOH makes about 60 plaques a year, as well as repairs damaged plaques.
The Presidential Seal contains the same colors as the Continental Army uniform. The light blue represents the blue sash generals wore. The 13 olive branches in the eagle’s left foot stand for peace, the 13 arrows in the eagle’s right foot symbolize war.
The eagle’s head faces left, toward the foot with the olive branches, as a symbolic statement that the U.S. favors peace while being willing to engage in war. The number 13 stands for the number of original Colonies.
The cloud above the eagle’s head represents the great seal of the United States, the glory and celebration of a new country. Glory lines from the clouds represent new order. On the seal is also the Latin phrase, “E pluribus Unum,” or “Out of many, one,” originally suggesting that out of many colonies or states emerge a single nation.
Although similar in design, there is one difference in the plaques on the presidential aircraft and those used on the lecterns.
“[President Bill] Clinton once pounded the podium and the plaque fell; so, they are now made to be very heavy,” said Michael Craghead, plaque painter. “The plaques on Air Force One and Marine One are light so they can’t be used as projectiles to hurt someone.”
Craghead, who has a background in fine arts and computer graphics, hand paints the eagle on the plaques.
TIOH is involved in a lot more than plaques. Their mission encompasses research, design, development, standardization, quality control, and other services relating to official symbolic items — seals, decorations, medals, insignia, badges, flags, and other items awarded to or authorized for official wear or display by government personnel and agencies.
“A large role of The Institute of Heraldry is quality assurance. We make sure all finished items are always the same color, finish, and has the correct amount of stitches,” said Petra Casipit, chief, Heraldic Services and Support Division. “Everything is designed and approved here; but, plaques are the only item we actually manufacture.“
Items such as medals, badges and insignia are contracted out, but must use government tools and meet the quality standard,” said Mungo.
Next year, the institute celebrates its 50th anniversary.
More information on the Institute of Heraldry is available from tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/.
Nice find, Michael. Thanks for sharing!