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History of the Maltese Cross |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 18 January 2007 |
 Maltese Cross Most fire departments use the Maltese Cross as the centerpiece of their "Firemen's Badge". The "Fireman's Badge of Honor" signifies COURAGE, PRIDE, DIGNITY, and INTEGRITY.
The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection, a badge of honor. It dates back to the Crusaders when the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, fought the Saracens for possession of the Holy Land. The Saracens used fire as a weapon. It was a horrible device of war; it wrought excruciating pain and death to the fighters for the Cross.
As the Crusaders advanced on the walls of a city they were struck by glass bombs containing naphtha. Hundreds of knights were burned alive. Others risked their lives to save their brothers-in-arms from dying this painful, fiery death. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow Crusaders who awarded each hero a badge of honor, a cross similar to the one fire fighters wear today.
Since the Knights of St. John lived for close to four centuries on the little island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea, the cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross.The Maltese Cross is the emblem of the Fire Service.
The Maltese Cross symbol of protection means that fire fighters who wear this cross are willing to lay down their lives for the citizens they serve. The person who places the fire fighter's shield upon his or her uniform puts on a fire department's Badge of Honor.
Copyright © 2004 RFFOW. All rights reserved.
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