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Origin of the Maltese Cross

 The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection-a badge of
honor. Its story is hundreds of years old. When a courageous
band of crusaders, known as the 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 of the Cross.
The Saracens' weapon was fire!

As the Crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they
were attacked by glass bombs containing naphtha. When
they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the
Saracens hurled a flaming tree into their midst. Hundreds
of Knights were burned alive. Others risked their lives
to save their brothers in arms from dying painful deaths.
Thus, these men became the 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 with a badge of honor-a cross similar to the one
Fire Fighters wear today.

Since the Knights of St. John lived for nearly four centuries
on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea, named Malta,
the Cross became known as the Maltese Cross.
The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection. It means that
the fire fighter that wears this Cross is willing to lay down
his life, just as the Crusaders sacrificed their lives for
their fellow men so many years ago.

The Maltese Cross is a Fire Fighter's Badge of Courage...
a ladder-rung away from death.

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