The German Weimar colours ‘Schwarz -Rot - Gold’

 Exactly 21 years back on October 3, 1990, German Democratic Republic (DDR) or more popularly known as East Germany merged with Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany)  making it a uniform one country and one flag – the Weimar colours ‘Schwarz - Rot - Gold’.

 As you all certainly know, the colours of the German flag are black, red and gold. They derived from the uniform of “Hunters of Lutzow” who wore black coats with red seams and golden buttons, dated from the German raising against Napoleon-I, in the War of Liberation in 1813-14. This colour combination became associated with German Republican ideals. 

Students marching at Warburg Castle, 1817.

The unit ‘Hunters of Lutzow’ was officially founded in February 1813 as Königlich Preußisches von Lützow (Royal Prussian Free Corps von Lützow). It was  consisted mostly of students and academics from all over Germany who had volunteered to fight against Napoleon I of France.

Procession  to Hambach Castle, 1832

In 1848, the first German Federal Parliament congregated and elected the Weimar colours as German National Colours.

GERMAN EMPIRE (1872 -1918)

Because of  dominant role of Prussia (which had a black & white flag ) and the “Hanse-cities”, Hamburg, Bremen and Lubeck (which had a red & white flag) in the following decades, the German flag was changed to ‘Black - White - Red ’, known as 'Bismark colours' in 1892, and were in use till 1919.

However, after the end of World War-I, the original ‘Black, Red & Gold ’ flag was re-introduced for Weimer Republic (1918 - 1933).

 
After the end of World War I, the original black, red and gold coloured flag was re-introduced.

Third Reich (1933 - 1945) during Hitler regime the 'Hakenkreuz' bearing a Swastika was adopted as National flag.

With the collapse of Third Reich after World War-II,

all Swastika flags disappeared by order of the occupying powers

Upon foundation of German Federal Republic in 1949, the Weimar colours “Schwarz-Rot-Gold” were re-adopted as National flags

Flag of ‘DDR’ East Germany

 1959 - 1989

In order to make a distinction with the West German flag,

DDR’s state emblem was superimposed on Weimar colours. The flag came into disuse in 1990 in favour of unified German colours.

US Flag and the Tenth anniversary of 9/11 (September 11) attack

The September 11 attacks or 9/11, were a series of four coordinated suicide attacks against targets in New York City and the Washington, D.C. area on September 11, 2001. We may now look back and glance through the philatelic tributes to the heroes of 9/11 attacks and say aloud "no more terrorism', enough is enough.

 The United States Postal Service issued a new semi-postal stamp, honoring the heroes of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "We ask every American to use the Heroes of 2001 stamp on every letter and package they send. Because by doing this, we are also sending a message to our friends and a stark reminder to our enemies: We are Americans. We do not shirk our duty. We do not flee from danger. And we do not forget our heroes," said Postmaster General John E. Potter at the first day of issue ceremony held in Battery Park, a location neighboring the vacant site where the World Trade Center once stood. In his speech Potter urged Americans to follow the lead of the Sept. 11 heroes. "Some of us may be tempted to trust a little less ... Rather, I encourage you to look to the example of the heroes of 2001, and instead to trust a little more."
New York Gov., George E. Pataki, who was among those joining Potter in the stamp's dedication, expressed his gratitude to the Postal Service. "Making this stamp available to all Americans is a fitting way to remember the heroic people that died on that terrible day in September while at the same time it will provide additional support for the family members who lost their loved ones," said Pataki. "I want to thank the Postal Service, whose employees have shown great courage in the face of bioterror threats, for honoring our fellow Americans and delivering the message that we will move forward, but we will never forget."
The Heroes of 2001 stamp was designed by Derry Noyes of Washington, D.C. It features a detail of the famous photograph taken by Thomas E. Franklin of three firefighters as they raised the U.S. flag at Ground Zero. The price of the stamp was 45 cents, and it is valid for postage at the First-Class one-ounce letter rate in effect at the time of purchase (then 34 cents). The difference between the sales price of the stamp and the postage consists of a tax-deductible contribution. The stamp's sales generated funds to provide assistance to the families of the emergency rescue workers who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty in connection with the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. 

 Firefighters and photographer are reunited at the stamp unveiling on 11 March 2002, six months after the Trade Center attack. Standing (from left) are Postmaster General Jack Potter, Firefighters William "Billy" Eisengrein and George Johnson, President George W. Bush, US Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.), Firefighter Dan McWilliams, and Thomas E. Franklin. (White House photo)

 Flag over ground zero has disappeared.

The American flag that was raised by three firefighters over the  wreckage of the World Trade Center, one of the most enduring images of 11 September, has disappeared. After the flag was removed from the site during cleanup, the flag flew on US ships serving in Afghanistan. Then, in March, it was returned to New York City officials. But the flag  that city officials preserved measures 1.5 - 2.4 metres. The flag the firefighters raised measured 1.2 - 1.8 metres, according to its original owners.----- Associated Press (AP) reported on September 5, 2002

 Non US commemorative stamps of 9/11. 

Several countries have issued 9/11 stamps to show solidarity with the U.S. include Israel, Mongolia, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Lesotho, St. Vincent, The Marshall Islands, The Virgin Islands, Uganda and The Bahamas.The list is almost endless. Here are a few examples;

 Israel Jerusalem’s tribute to New York Trade Center victims

   "10th Memorial Anniversary September 11th",

Israel 2011, three personalized sheets in English depicting various sites and scenes of the World Trade Center, New York landmarks and the three American leaders involved with the post September 11th tragedy and reconstructions. These sheets were issued on the Flag generic sheet of 12 stamps and 12 labels along with the inscriptions "Always Remember Never Forget" in the side panels.

 Chad 2008: Miniature sheet of four stamps featuring different fire engines and an image of the World Trade Center towers after the September 11th attack in New York City.

 Guinea 2011: "Presidents of the United States" George W. Bush souvenir sheet depicting World Trade Center{Sept 11, 2001} & Iraq War.

 UNITED WE STAND

 World Trade Center before its destruction, Sharjah, 1964.

FLAG CITIES OF THE USA (revised post)

Some couple of months back my friend Mr.Tony Lion, a senior citizen from Cleveland, Ohio sent me an old envelope with a clear Flag Pond, TN postmark on it, which his late father-in-law sent to his wife some years ago on October 25,1979. Here is the envelope;

Tony also sent me some suggestions on "How Flag Pond of  got its name" posted in the Flag Pond, Tennessee site.

Ray Knapp:
Up until roads were constructed and the creeks re-channeled (beginning in the mid 1800s) Upper Higgins Creek, Sams Creek and Rice Creek converged at a point about 100 yards south of Flag Pond’s post office creating a large swampy area with wild flag flowers growing in and around it. It became a meeting place for the people living in this general area. They would trail in to the flag pond from miles around to share news, a little moonshine and on occasion listen to an old time preacher give a sermon to their ready-made audience. A name for any town isn’t official until sanctioned by the government, this is generally done by establishing a post office. Flag Pond’s first post office was established in 1846. This was the first post office in the county, which in turn makes Flag Pond the oldest official town in the county.
The establishment of the Flag Pond post office is public record. The location of the pond and other information is a consensus from several 'old timers' that relayed stories passed down to them by their fathers and grandfathers.
Sharla Smith-Hardin;

My mother was a Rice. She told me that the way Flag Pond came to be named, was because a soldier (during the civil war, I believe) planted a flag (I'm not sure what kind of a flag, whether American, Union or Confederate) in a pond (which is no longer there) to let others who were following, know that was the area he had scouted. But that's the way the community came to be named Flag Pond.

WebMaster; 

The Scuttle Butt or rumor that I have been told was the Name Flag Pond came from a young lady and her nickname was Stefanne. She was walking the edge of a pond and saw the flag flower Iris (Scientific Name: Iris pseudacorus) growing on the edge of a pond and that how the Name Flag Pond,TN was created ....... from the flower Flag at the edge of the pond.

  My friend Tony recently shared with a bad news regarding the Flag Pond, TN post-office. Due to financial difficulties that the U. S. Postal Service is experiencing, the Flag Pond post office, along with another 3700 post offices across the country, are under review for closure.

Flag Pond,Virginia, postmark dated April 18, 1894, 2c Columbian Envelope.
This Flag Pond is located in Northumberland county in Virginia. Presently, the nearest Post Office is located at Sanford Post Office (1.8 km).

 'Flagstaff' is another interesting city in Arizona State named after Flag.

A very rare 'Special Delivery- Air Mail' on a First Day Coverage' cover posted from Flagstaff, Arizona on May 28,1937.

Flagstaff old town, 1882

 Flagstaff (called "Flag" by the locals) is a city located in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. It is the county seat of Coconino County. The city is named after a Ponderosa Pine flagpole made by a scouting party from Boston(known as the "Second Boston Party") to celebrate the United States Centennial on July 4, 1876. The pine was so substantial that people could see it from miles away. Flagstaff became a symbol, a landmark and, ultimately, a name.

How Flagstaff obtained its name has several versions, all having to do with stripping a lone pine tree and making it into a flagpole. The spring and its small settlement underwent several names beginning with Antelope Spring, then Flagstaff, and then Old Town. By the time the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad (now the Santa Fe) came through in 1882 there were ten buildings in Old Town, but they soon moved closer to the new railroad depot. In no time at all, Old Town was almost deserted and when a post office was established near the new train depot, it assumed the name of Flagstaff. 

American Flag Post Office, Oracle, Arizona (1880-1890)

“American Flag” is a ghost town in Pinal County, Arizona five miles southeast of Oracle. The town was established in the late 1870 but shortly after 1890, the town had become abandoned. Stories go  that Oracle would have been named American Flag if only some government officials had not rejected a two-word name. But the Post Office embraced the two-word name “American Flag”, and that American Flag Post Office began its operation in 1880 but closed down in 1890 because its population dwindled while the community of Oracle grew. The post office was moved to the American Flag Ranch headquarters in 1880. The building still stands, and is the oldest surviving territorial Post Office building in Arizona. The building is now is preserved by the 'Oracle Historical Society'. I have not come across with any example of 'American Flag, AZ' postmark.

The duplex postmark of August 29, 1952, from Bend, Oregon mentions "U. S. TREASURY DEFENSE BOND FLAG CITY".