The Army ‘weapon’ that was confiscated at the airport

The metal ‘Blood & Fire’ cross that adorns the top of an Army flag was confiscated by airport security in 2024, and (inset) the new flag that was displayed during the installation service for Colonels John and Lani Chamness at Parramatta Corps last Sunday.

BY LAUREN MARTIN

Fighting spiritual battles using military language and marching under a flag of ‘red, yellow and blue’ has been synonymous with The Salvation Army for over 140 years.

‘Unfurl the Army Banner!’ we sang for decades ... ‘March ’neath the Flag’ ... ‘Unfurl the Army Banner’ ... and ‘We’ll Never Let the Old Flag Fall’ ...

Except when it’s confiscated at the airport.

For being a weapon.

During last Sunday’s installation ceremony in Sydney for new territorial leaders Colonels John and Lani Chamness, Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas quipped that “we have a brand new flag today”, which begged the question ... what happened to the previous territorial flag?

Apparently, parts of the last flag were confiscated by security at an Australian airport during the 2024 visit of world leaders General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham because its ‘Blood & Fire’ finial (the metal cross on top of the flagpole) and yellow, red and blue cords were considered ‘weapons’.

“It is a weapon,” Miriam boldly declared, pointing out that The Salvation Army flag, with its distinctive ‘Blood & Fire’ motto, symbolises the Holy Spirit and the Army’s fight against sin and social evil.

Although now mainly displayed inside corps buildings, the flag was frequently taken ‘into battle’ in the early days of the movement, when Salvationists would march through towns and hold open-air meetings.

The metal finial at the top of the flag features a cross, wrapped with an ‘S’ and the words ‘Blood & Fire’, symbolising the blood of Jesus and the fire of the Holy Spirit.

“Obviously, we regret that parts of the flag were confiscated, and we would never have taken it had we known it would be considered dangerous,” Miriam told Salvos Online. “But it serves as a reminder that we are an Army of Salvation.

“These symbols should spur us on to pray against the forces of darkness in our world. They should spur us on to act with love and compassion as we fight against the sins of injustice, poverty and violence that are active in the communities in which we minister.”