I'll use a sports analogy . . .
One major US sports team was having uniform problems. So they needed a new set, for the WHOLE team in a hurry. Therefore, they went to a local sports store and grabbed the ONLY colors that there were enough of for the whole team.
Fast forward 70-80 years-> NOW, those colors are endued with a plethora of symbolism and meaning. NO ONE would TOUCH them, as THAT is the tradition.
Impact: a quick decision by the equipment manager in a pinch has become THE symbol of the team. The START was something simple, but incredible meaning has been endowed to it over time.
Another: the Pittsburgh Steelers only wear their logo on one side of their helmets. WHY? when the team first got the stickers, someone screwed up and they didn't have NEAR enough for a pair per each player's helmet. A quick thinking person decided to just put one on each helmet, leaving the other side blank. They intended to get more for the other side. It never happened. Now, there are all sorts of feelings and symbolism of the one-sided logos. NO ONE would DARE make the sides match now.

So, I have no problem with the checkering being first added for "artistic" reasons, but gaining symbolism over time. Therefore, there is symbolism today that is DEEPLY felt. That the dicing would be associated with the government, which the units served, only makes sense.