04/17/2016
Gary King’s Proposed replacement for the star explained:
The base of the symbol, in golden yellow, is derived from the base of a fleur-de-lis to remember René-Robert de LaSalle who portaged from the St. Joseph River to the Kankakee. (He and Henri de Tonti eventually reached the mouth of the Mississippi where he claimed all land drained by that river for the king of France; it later became the Louisiana Purchase.) Voyageurs, missionaries and educators followed, including Pierre Navarre and Edward Sorin, establishing a trading post, a college, churches and hospitals. Additional heritage is represented by a notching the central leaf, so it resembles a sailing ship's hull, or a dugout canoe, to represent the voyages of our many ancestors and families, immigrants—some captives, some refugees— from many lands. Let it also represent a boat on the river, or a kayak surging down the East Race.
Above that, is a an arch shaped like the spans of the Jefferson Street Bridge now lit by the River Lights, a lasting memento of the South Bend 150 celebration. Blue, for loyalty and faith, tinged with green to recall our commitment to environmental responsibility, parks and recreation. As a bridge, it reminds us of the links between our neighborhoods. Its elliptical lines symbolize openness, and our striving to encompass diverse cultures and ethnic heritage.
The arch is crowned with a flame drawn from the torch of Indiana’s state flag, also evoking the Statue of Liberty, and the Keepers of the Fire, a tribute to the original inhabitants and those who settled here seeking freedom. Red, the color of strength, charity and sacrifice.
May this symbol on South Bend’s flag inspire us.
Proposed replacement for the star explained
The base of the symbol, in golden yellow, is derived from the base of a fleur-de-lis to remember René-Robert de LaSalle who portaged from the St. Joseph River to the Kankakee. (He and Henri de Tonti eventually reached the mouth of the Mississippi where he claimed all land drained by that river for the king of France; it later became the Louisiana Purchase.) Voyageurs, missionaries and educators followed, including Pierre Navarre and Edward Sorin, establishing a trading post, a college, churches and hospitals. Additional heritage is represented by a notching the central leaf, so it resembles a sailing ship's hull, or a dugout canoe, to represent the voyages of our many ancestors and families, immigrants—some captives, some refugees— from many lands. Let it also represent a boat on the river, or a kayak surging down the East Race.
Above that, is a an arch shaped like the spans of the Jefferson Street Bridge now lit by the River Lights, a lasting memento of the South Bend 150 celebration. Blue, for loyalty and faith, tinged with green to recall our commitment to environmental responsibility, parks and recreation. As a bridge, it reminds us of the links between our neighborhoods. Its elliptical lines symbolize openness, and our striving to encompass diverse cultures and ethnic heritage.
The arch is crowned with a flame drawn from the torch of Indiana’s state flag, also evoking the Statue of Liberty, and the Keepers of the Fire, a tribute to the original inhabitants and those who settled here seeking freedom. Red, the color of strength, charity and sacrifice.
May this symbol on South Bend’s flag inspire us.
