Why does the National Guard Bureau Seal have the international symbol of fascism on it?

Answer 1

On 12 July 1920, the Commission of Fine Arts was requested by the War Department to render assistance in the design of an insignia for the Militia Bureau. The citizen-soldier is represented by the fasces, denoting the unity of the states, and the eagle represented the Federal Government. The original design and model were made by Anthony de Francisci, the Sculptor, and were approved by the Commission. In memorandum from the Chief of Staff to the Quartermaster General, on the Date of 12 May 1921, the design and model submitted by the Commission of Fine Arts, was adopted and has remained the basic symbolism since 12 May 1921. The Militia Bureau was redesignated as the National Guard Bureau on 15 June 1933, in accordance with Public Law No.64, 73d Congress, and the name of the branch insignia was changed accordingly. http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/SealsEmblems/NationalGuardBureau.htm On 12 July 1920, the Commission of Fine Arts was requested by the War Department to render assistance in the design of an insignia for the Militia Bureau. The citizen-soldier is represented by the fasces, denoting the unity of the states, and the eagle represented the Federal Government. The original design and model were made by Anthony de Francisci, the Sculptor, and were approved by the Commission. In memorandum from the Chief of Staff to the Quartermaster General, on the Date of 12 May 1921, the design and model submitted by the Commission of Fine Arts, was adopted and has remained the basic symbolism since 12 May 1921. The Militia Bureau was redesignated as the National Guard Bureau on 15 June 1933, in accordance with Public Law No.64, 73d Congress, and the name of the branch insignia was changed accordingly. http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/SealsEmblems/NationalGuardBureau.htm Fasces, from the Latin word fascis, meaning "bundle" symbolize summary power and jurisdiction, and/or "strength through unity" The traditional Roman fasces consisted of a bundle of white birch rods, tied together with a red leather ribbon into a cylinder, and often including a bronze axe (or sometimes two) amongst the rods, with the blade(s) on the side, projecting from the bundle. It was used as a symbol of the Roman Republic in many circumstances, including being carried in processions, much the way a flag might be carried today. Numerous governments and other authorities have used the image of the fasces as a symbol of power since the end of the Roman Empire. It has also been used to hearken back to the Roman republic, particularly by those who see themselves as modern-day successors to the old republic and/or its ideals. Italian fascism, which derives its name from the fasces, arguably used this symbolism the most in the 20th century. The British Union of Fascists also used it in the 1930s. However, unlike (for example) the swastika, the fasces, as a widespread and long-established symbol in the West, have avoided the stigma associated with much of fascist symbolism, and many authorities continue to display them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasces#Symbolism