O.f.w.

[Br. James]

"Maybe he passed on his knowledge to a family member, who can still post here as OFW"

That's quite a 'hope,' Gene! I wonder how often a collector's relative inherits the same zeal for the hobby that such a person as Ben Weed was had? I would think almost no chance, but I'm certainly willing to be wrong on this one!

Whenever a 'giant' in our hobby passes on, the hobby loses the education, the memories, the thought processes and the willingness to act as a guide, a mentor and as a solid critic which that 'giant' developed throughout his/her whole lifetime; it is part of who that person was! Our OFW was just such a person and our hobby will continue to suffer this loss forever. Each 'giant' is a "one-of-a-kind" among us.

Br. James

[mrec27777]

"Maybe he passed on his knowledge to a family member, who can still post here as OFW"

That's quite a 'hope,' Gene! I wonder how often a collector's relative inherits the same zeal for the hobby that such a person as Ben Weed was had? I would think almost no chance, but I'm certainly willing to be wrong on this one!

Whenever a 'giant' in our hobby passes on, the hobby loses the education, the memories, the thought processes and the willingness to act as a guide, a mentor and as a solid critic which that 'giant' developed throughout his/her whole lifetime; it is part of who that person was! Our OFW was just such a person and our hobby will continue to suffer this loss forever. Each 'giant' is a "one-of-a-kind" among us.

Br. James

i agree very much with you BR ,,... i also wished ..and had asked him about writing a flag,poletop ,banner type book where all his great knowledge could be passed on to his fellow collectors ...i can"t count how many times an item was in question ,and i would give my thoughts on it ....but ,would state that i would like to hear BENS opinion ......EC

[yesthatsme]

I believe ofw absence will have a huge effect on flag collecting interest. A true gentlemen amongst men, I miss seeing his threads.

[Military]

"Maybe he passed on his knowledge to a family member, who can still post here as OFW"

That's quite a 'hope,' Gene! I wonder how often a collector's relative inherits the same zeal for the hobby that such a person as Ben Weed was had? I would think almost no chance, but I'm certainly willing to be wrong on this one!

Whenever a 'giant' in our hobby passes on, the hobby loses the education, the memories, the thought processes and the willingness to act as a guide, a mentor and as a solid critic which that 'giant' developed throughout his/her whole lifetime; it is part of who that person was! Our OFW was just such a person and our hobby will continue to suffer this loss forever. Each 'giant' is a "one-of-a-kind" among us.

Br. James

I totally agree with James - a lifetime of knowledge, gone forever. Ben was one of the good guys. Flags, poletops and standartes will be a minefield for years to come. And with threads on WAF some being lost to time, due to server migration or photos no longer available, I hope some of us will continue our own work. How many books are out there on flags and poletops? Not much. The knowledge is fragmented. The collecting community needs some sort of a wikipedia page.

Mil

[wilhelm Saris]

e

How many books are out there on flags and poletops? Not much. The knowledge is fragmented.
Mil

It was a plan one day. A friend of mine and me intented to write such a book, but we realized it was
practically impossible due to the many organizations and its flags, when one would include also
pole-tops, arm patches and documents and all needed information. That would have been proper.
What to think of all honor-names for the SA and RAD? It would have been a 3 volume series (at least).
I think no publisher would have taken it as it was also planned to do it in a bigger format. A smaller
book would not have shown good enough the flag-material. Who would have paid over 300 dollars
for the series?

In my book about gorgets (published in German and Germany) much information and photographs
of flags and such are included.

THIS SHOULD NOT BE HERE! iT IS ALL ABOUT BEN......

[rajko84]

My condolences to his family

[mametz]

A great contributor to the forum will be missed.

[The Other Brian]

Ben was THE authority on this murky area. The collecting community has lost a strong voice and much knowledge with his passing. My condolences to his family and friends.