| The picture below shows a larger front and back view of this Old Womans Relief Corps Color Bearer Award Ribbon with Medal. At the top is a bronze pin section with some scroll work. On it is a hole for a hanging charm that is missing. We believe that it once had an American flag charm. Below it is a blue cloth ribbon, two metal loops and a medal at the bottom with the Womans Relief Corps insignia. It is marked on the two sides as follows: COLOR BEARER
WOMANS RELIEF CORPS
1883
PATENTED
MAY 4. AND SEPT. 28. 1886. The medal measures about 3-1/8'' x 1-1/2''. It appears to be in very good condition with an aged patina and missing charm as pictured. Below here, for reference, is some Historic information on The Womans Relief Corps: The Woman's Relief Corps Badge The Woman's Relief Corps Badge is a Maltese Cross attached to a bar pin with a red, white and blue ribbon. The center holds the American Flag, and is encircled in a wreath of stars, depicting five outstanding figures:
a. Goddess of Liberty
b. Soldier
c. Boy
d. Woman
e. Child
The Soldier symbolizes Fraternity because the Comrades created their organization as their Auxiliary in 1883. The Boy is emblematic of the youth and strength of the future life of the Nation. The Woman is emblematic of motherhood, the very source of all civilization throughout the world. She has taught mercy, kindness, and has extended Charity from the beginning of time. The Child is emblematic of the hope of the world, with our patriotic teachings of Loyalty to the nation's laws and principles, with Freedom and Justice for future generations yet unborn. The Bar pin holding the red white and blue ribbon is engraved with the F C L initials as a reminder of their motto:
Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty.NATIONAL WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS
Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic, Inc. Our Purpose Our members cooperate in doing honor to all those who have patriotically served our country in any war. We teach patriotism and duties of citizenship, the true history of our country and the love and honor of our flag. We oppose every tendency or movement that would weaken loyalty to, or make for the destruction or impairment of, our constitutional Union. We sustain the American principles of representative government, equal rights and impartial justice for all. The American's Creed I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.
Written 1917, by William Tyler Page
Accepted by the United States House of Representatives on April 3, 1918. |
