129th Signal Battalion, Maryland Army National Guard

129TH SIGNAL BATTALION, MARYLAND ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Tenné, four lightning flashes saltirewise throughout Celeste fimbriated Argent, overall a torch of the last enflamed Gules.
Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Maryland Army National Guard: On a wreath of the colors, Argent and Tenné, a cross bottony per cross quarterly Gules and Argent.
Motto: LIGHT THE FIRES.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned as follows: Tenné, four lightning flashes saltirewise throughout Celeste fimbriated Argent, overall a torch of the last enflamed Gules. Attached below the shield a black scroll inscribed "LIGHT THE FIRES" in silver.

Origin/meaning

Orange is the primary color traditionally associated with the Signal Corps. The motto "Light the Fires" is alluded to by the torch, recalling the historic tradition of signal communications. The lightning flashes are a further reference to the Signal Corps and suggest the speed of modern global communications technology.

The Coat of Arms and Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved on 11 May 1989 for the Maryland and Virginia Army National Guard. IThey was amended on 11 Sep 1990, to delete reference to the Virginia Army National Guard. Literature: Image and Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army