The coat of arms of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).<br>"On 5th October 1951, General Eisenhower authorised military and civilian personnel assigned to SHAPE to wear a new insignia. At the same time an official SHAPE flag bearing the new insignia and motto was raised on the Headquarters building to join the flags of the NATO countries flying in the main forecourt. The source of the motto can be found in a speech by John Philpot Curran delivered in 1790 upon the right of election. Two gold swords, unsheathed, are superimposed on a gold scroll bearing SHAPE's official maxim (motto): "Vigilia pretium libertatis" (<i>Vigilance is the Price of Liberty</i>). Two sprays of olive leaves in gold at the bottom of the scroll indicate dedication of the NATO nations to peace, the swords show the armed strength necessary to preserve the peace. The position of the swords produces the letter "A", standing for the allied powers. Within the scroll, and behind the swords, are twelve silver fronds stemming from the olive sprays and denoting the original signatories of the North Atlantic Treaty. They produce by their position rays of hope. The whole design is superimposed on a shield of dark green. The shield represents the crusading nature of SHAPE's mission and its colour signifies the peaceful woods and fields of Europe." <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.e-yearbook.com/yearbooks/Royal_Military_College_Canada_Review_Yearbook/1953/Page_205.html">Ref</a>
NATO
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