Flag Project

For quite awhile I have been kicking around the concept of attempting to reproduce the 10th Dragoon’s Regimental Flag. Given the attachment that the original veterans of the unit had to this symbol of their service I wanted to make sure of several things:
1. That we had the approval of living unit veterans to undertake such a project.
2. That the reproduced flag would be close to, but not an exact copy of the original in order to
ensure the sanctity of the WWII flag.
3. The flag had to be of high enough quality to honor those who died serving under its folds
4. Since we are a volunteer organization, cost is a major factor.

As the highest ranking survivor of the original regiment,  Lt Col. Karcz gave us the go-ahead to reconstruct the flag in the name of the veterans. Step number one had been fulfilled. In an effort to realize step #2, we had to alter minor construction characteristics on the flag and one symbol. This was relatively easy, as the only original photos we had to work with lacked some detail.
(Click on either image to view further information)

Again, the details were not sufficient to create a truly accurate copy. At this point, I contracted the help of our resident artist, Craig Gravina, who had previously designed our WWII Polish LHG logo. He digitally scanned in and enhanced the original pictures and was able to gain enough clarity to accurately render the flag. We were very happy with the results.
(Click on either image to view further information)

The next step was to send Lt Col. Karcz our artist’s concept and gain his approval. We were very pleased to receive his approbation. In so doing, he also contacted representatives of the current active duty regiment in Poland and received their approval as well.  Now we needed to find an embroiderer capable of the undertaking but within our budget.
Our site had been contacted by Mr. Shakeel Latif of Mecano Star Enterprises in Pakistan concerning reproducing insignia. Although we were not in the market for that particular product, I was very enthusiastic about the various flag reproductions on his web site. After discussing the project details and pricing, Mr. Latif agreed to a contract to reproduce our flag. I have been very pleased with his communication throughout the process and the timeliness of his work. He can be reached at info@mecano-star.com Below are pictures of the flag reproduction in progress.
(Click on any image to view further information)

Update – September 6th, 2009

We attended the Polish – American ethnic festival in Doylestown, PA at the shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. By this time I had fashioned a close copy of the original flag topper. Our next step was to get it officially blessed by a priest. I had approached the staff at the shrine about doing something low key perhaps at our display area or maybe even in the church. I was somewhat shocked when Father Tadeusz told us it would be during the festival opening ceremonies in their large ampitheater. After singing the Polish and American national anthems I was requested to make a brief statement concerning the history of the flag and why it was being blessed.
(Click on either image to view further information)

Update – September 29th, 2009

On September 19th during the annual WWII weekend at Eisenhower Farm NPS our unit was truly honored by the presence of the staff from the Polish embassy in Washington D.C. to participate in an official flag dedication ceremony. BrigGen. L. Soczewica the Polish Military Attache and his assistant LtCol. R. Nowak drove up to officiate. The ceremony followed along the lines of the original that took place over 68 years ago in Scotland. The General officially dedicated our flag on behalf of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. LtCol. Jan Karcz, original veteran of the unit was going to fly in from his home in North Carolina as well however he was taken gravely ill a mere week before the ceremony. Into the breach stepped Col. J. Karcz USAR (ret). Col Karcz is Jan Karcz’s nephew. He was kind enough to speak on his uncle’s behalf concerning his family history and the attachment Jan has with our recreated unit. We were very honored by his attendance.
The ceremony was well attended by many visitors to the park site. In addition to the official dedication we also hosted a brief reception for the embassy staff and WWII Polish LHG members. The food was coordinated and displayed by Linda Neri to whom we are very grateful. We would also like to thank Ranger Richard Lemmers from the NPS who helped set up the ceremony details between our organization and the NPS. Johnny Wheeler of the recreated 601 RAF squadron recorded the ceremony via video to keep for posterity. The film can be viewed and downloaded below.

Flag Dedication Ceremony
Eisenhower National Park

Below is the complete video of the Flag Dedication Ceremony of our recreated unit flag as seen through this page. The Ceremony was split into several parts as follows:

• Part one is the initial welcome and introduction by myself.
• Part two begins with remarks from Col. J Karcz USAR (retired), nephew of our original 10th Dragoon veteran LtCol. Jan Karcz Phd. (1st Polish Armoured Division). This is followed by some brief remarks from myself as to the symbolic meaning of the flag.
• The third section of this video are the brief remarks by BrigGen. Soczewica, Polish Military Attache to the United States, Embassy of the Republic of Poland Washington D.C.
• The fourth and final section of the video entails the General officially presenting the flag to myself and unit LCpl. Moore Then troops the colours before the assembled men.

Due to this video being longer, and uploaded on YouTube, we do not have a direct download link that can be provided. However, there are many ways to download YouTube videos in a variety of file formats should you seek to do so.