Mid-Atlantic Regional Group

Blinded Veterans Association

BVA’s National Emblem Explained

 

 

Thanks to an article in the June 1948 issue of the BVA Bulletin, we know a lot about the meaning and origin of the Association’s emblem.

To picture the emblem, think of a sculptured disc.  The face of the disc is a composite of layered symbols inside a red-bordered circle.  The base is formed by white, fluffy clouds.  The next layer features a five-pointed star with each point reaching out to the edge of the circle.  To the right of the top point is a blue Christian cross.  To the left of the top point is a blue Star of David.  A red broken bayonet runs vertically, centered on top of the five-pointed star.  The top layer of the composite depicts a brown arm reaching from the right and a white arm reaching from the left.  In the middle of the emblem, the arms meet in a handshake.  Under the hands and the point of the bayonet are the blue capital letters “B”, “V”, “A”.

Now that we know what the emblem looks like let’s explore its meaning.  The five-pointed star represents the Armed Forces of the United States.  The hands emerging from the background of clouds represents blindness.  The clasped hands, one white and the other brown, symbolize the unity of races.  The broken bayonet stands for the fact that blindness results from a service-connected injury.  The Star of David and the Christian cross represent the unity of creeds.  The initials “BVA” stand for the Blinded Veterans Association.

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