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Cross of Malta
History shows that the
Cross of Malta, the emblem of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States,
is 1,000 years old. Nearly ten centuries ago the Maltese Cross was made the
symbol of fighting men who
were united by a solemn pledge of comradeship to
fight for freedom and to aid the sick and the needy.
Those ancient obligations
are still symbolized by the Cross of Malta today, for the more than two million
former servicemen who are the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The Cross of Malta is
the symbol of their
battles in time of war and of their campaign to defend the
God given rights of human beings in time
of peace. The Cross of Malta symbolizes
the compassion, or sympathy, of those men and women for
the needy. It is the
sign of services which our contemporary veterans render to help make living a
little
better for everyone.
To appreciate fully the
original meaning of the Cross of Malta we must look back a thousand years,
to
the Crusaders serving in the Middle East. There we find the Knights of St. John,
the worlds
first great brotherhood of warriors pledged to chivalry. The Knights
of St. John represented all walks
of life. They were noblemen and priests,
artisans and laborers. Regardless of those differences, however,
they were
united by a solemn pledge of unwavering courage and compassion. Together they
fought
against oppression. They carried their crusades far from home across
deserts and seas, into the Holy
Land, Cyprus, Rhodes and Malta. At the same time
they administered to the sick, the needy and to
the poor. The Crusaders adopted
the Cross of Malta as their insignia because its eight points represented
the
eight Beatitudes prescribed in the Sermon on the Mount.
Those, in effect, declare
(1) blessed are the
poor in spirit
(2) the meek
(3) the pure
(4) the merciful
(5) the peacemakers
(6) blessed are they that mourn
(7) seek righteousness
(8) blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake.
The Cross of Malta had a religious
origin but the Knights of St. John also made it their battle standard for
the
liberation of all men, women and children who suffered oppression. The ideals
for which the
original Crusaders fought parallel the principles of democracy
today, freedom and justice.
Centuries passed to the
year 1899. Again fighting men banded together. Again they pledged themselves
to
campaign for the rights of mankind and to administer to the sick, the needy and
to the poor. That was
the birth of a new organization, known today as the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
Why did the Veterans of
Foreign Wars select the Cross of Malta emblem? What has been added to the
Cross
and what does the symbol mean? Let us look at the VFW ensign closely.
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We see the eight-pointed
Maltese Cross. Upon the Cross is superimposed the Great Seal of the
United
States, encircled by the name, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
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Within the circle is the
American eagle, the emblem of a proud nation whose warriors of many
generations have fought and sacrificed to preserve the free mans way of
living.
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Between the four arms of
the Cross, the Veterans of Foreign Wars has added the suns rays to
emphasize
the vigor and warmth with which the present day brotherhood defends our
ideals.
Every detail in the VFW
emblem has definite meaning. The Cross, the rays and the seal together symbolize
the vows, purpose and character of men and women who have traveled far from home
to defend humanity.
The Veterans of Foreign
Wars is the worlds oldest and largest overseas war veterans organization.
It is
chartered by the Congress of the United States. That charter states specifically
that The purpose of
this corporation shall be: Fraternal, Patriotic, Historical
and Educational
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To preserve and
Strengthen Comradeship among its members,
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To assist worthy
comrades, to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead,
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To assist their widows
and orphans,
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To maintain true
allegiance to the government of the United States of America and fidelity to
its
constitution and laws,
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To foster true
patriotism,
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To maintain and extend
the institutions of American freedom,
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To preserve and defend
the United States from all her enemies whomsoever.
Upon joining the Veterans
of Foreign Wars, a person vows in the presence of Almighty God and the members
of this order to maintain loyalty to the government, to the VFW, and to his
fellow comrades. When the Cross
of Malta is bestowed upon a new VFW member, he
or she is pledged to advance the principles of
the organization.
Like the original Crusaders
1,000 years ago, the 2.4+ million members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
today
fulfill their vows through a wide variety of vigorously executed services. The
VFW is also joined
by 750,000 members of our Ladies Auxiliary in our efforts.
They foster true patriotism, and strengthen
the institutions of freedom by word
and deed. They improve their cities, towns and neighborhoods
through community
service. They give aid to worthy comrades and to the widows and orphans. They
extend helping hands to the needy and the sick. Like the original Knights of St.
John, those who wear
the VFW Maltese Cross express their comradeship in terms of
service.
These are the reasons why
the Veterans of Foreign Wars chose the Cross of Malta as its emblem. The
Cross
of Malta symbolizes truly the character and objectives of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the
United States. People qualified through military service to
wear the VFW Cross of Malta do so with
pride because that emblem represents the
highest of ideals. Every member has earned the Cross of
Malta proudly - and he
or she wears it proudly.
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