The upright bundle of rods surrounding an ax is in Latin termed a " fasces". It did indeed symbolize strength via national unity AND COMMON MAJOR NATIONAL GOALS, and for this reason was also used as a symbol and name of the modern Italian movement "Fascism".
Fascism was in its early phases popular in the West, particularly by politicians such as FDR who wished to emphasize national unity during a crisis. The symbol was on the flip side of the FDR dime. It may be possible - will have to look it up - that later editions of the dime changed to a torch to avoid embarrassing connotations.
Some things they don't teach you in Hot Galaxy Space Comix, no?
Yeah. Why don't you do that? And while you're there, see if you can find out what the fasces symbol has to do with the business of getting a rocket to Mars?
Maybe that'll keep you busy.
A note to other readers: The fasces symbol has been used by countless organizations, from churches to the deeply irreligious. Using it is meant to convey the strength of organized purpose, not a rebirth of Mussolini's Fascist Italy. -- And now you can go back to your comics.