History of the Maltese
Cross
The Badge of a Fire Fighter is the Maltese Cross. The Maltese Cross is a
symbol of protection and a badge of honor. Its story is hundreds of years
old.
When a courageous band of crusaders known as Knights of St. John fought
the Saracens for possession of the holy land, they encountered a new
weapon unknown to European warriors. It was a simple, but horrible device
of war. It wrought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave
fighters for the cross. The Saracens weapon was fire.
As the crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they were struck by
glass bombs containing naphtha. When they became saturated with the highly
flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled a flaming torch into their midst.
Hundreds of the knights were burned alive; others risked their lives to
save their brothers-in-arms from dying painful, fiery deaths.
Thus, these men became our first Fire Fighters and the first of a long
list of courageous Fire Fighters. 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 a little island in the Mediterranean Sea named
Malta, the cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross.
The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that the Fire
Fighter who wears this cross is willing to lay down his life for you just
as the crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow man so many years
ago. The Maltese Cross is a Fire Fighter's badge of honor, signifying that
he works in courage a ladder rung away from death.
–Anonymous
- Crestview
Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 2680, Crestview,
Florida
