Delaware National
GuardNew readiness site gives birth to a Griffin
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Craftsmen from Roman Mosaic & Tile Company, West Chester, Pa., work to complete the 17'x14' Griffin located in the Terrazzo floor in the front lobby of the new Smyrna Readiness Center. The newest readiness center will soon be home to the 261st Signal Brigade, 721st Troop Command and the 31st Civil Support Team (WMD). Photo by Master Sgt. Arnold O'Sullivan. |
Delaware Army National Guard's Griffin Insignia
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description:
A silver color metal and
enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height overall consisting of the
authorized crest for the Delaware Army National Guard. (On a wreath of six
"twists" alternating silver and red, a blue griffin's head erased with
yellow ears and beak and red tongue with black collar with silver rims and
bearing three silver discs).
Symbolism: The blue griffin's
head was the device of Lord De la Warre for whom Delaware River,
Delaware Bay, the colony of Delaware and the State of Delaware were named.
The black, silver edged bar (collar) with three silver discs are from the
coat of arms of William Penn to whom the colony of Delaware was granted in
1682 and which was under the jurisdiction of the colony of Pennsylvania
until 1701 when Penn agreed to a separate Delaware assembly. The
griffin's head, in being torn off from the rest of the body may, in this
instance, be taken as an indication of that event. The wreath in the red
and white colors of England refers to the English colonization of
Delaware.
Background: The distinctive unit insignia
was originally approved for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment
and noncolor bearing units of the Delaware Army National Guard on February 24,
1971. It was redesignated effective December 30, 1983 for Headquarters,
State Area Command, Delaware Army National Guard.