Description: This patch was designed as a generic insignia for "black" projects conducted by the Navy's Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four (VX-4) based at Point Mugu, California. It was reportedly used during the navy's involvement with the TSSAM program. It may still be worn by members of the VX-9 squadron formed from a merger of VX-4 and VX-5. VX-9's mission is to test strike aircraft, conventional weapons, electronic warfare equipment, and to develop tactics involving these weapons systmes. The latin phrase "Si Ego Certiorem Faciam...Mihi Tu Delendus Eris" roughly translates into a cliche commonly heard in the vicinity of "black" programs: "I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you". But the phrasing here is unusual because it is written in the passive voice: a more accurate translation of the Latin would be "I could tell you, but then you would have to be destroyed by me". By employing the passive voice the patch's designer makes two references that don't exist in other phrasings. The first reference is to the Greek God of Chaos, Eris, about whom Homer wrote in book Four of the lliad: "(Eris) whose wrath is relentless, she is the sister and companion of the murderous Ares. She who is only a little thing at the first, but thereafter grows until she strides on the earth with her head striking heaven. She hurled down bitterness equally between both sides as she walked through the onslaught making men's pain heavier." The passive phrasing of the Latin also echoes the words of a Second century B.C. Roman senator named Cato the Elder, who roamed the Senate repeating the words "Carthago delenda est"- "Carthage must be destroyed". In 149 B.C., Cato go his wish and Rome attacked the city, which was located in North Africa near present day Tunis. Three years after beginning their assault, the Roman army overran Carthage, tore down its walls, and sold its inhabitants into slavery. After the Roman Senate declared that no one would ever live where Carthage had stood, legend holds that Rome salted the earth around the city in order to ensure that Carthage would remain a wasteland for generations. This brand new patch is 4" in length and 4" in width and features a plastic backing. This patch comes from the published book"I Could Tell You Then You Would Have To Be Destroyed By Me."
Price: 7.95 USD
Location: Loudon, Tennessee
End Time: 2023-12-08T16:26:42.000Z
Shipping Cost: 4.25 USD
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Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Modification Description: patch
