Badge Courage

The Origin of the Maltese Cross

The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection…….A badge of honor.

And its story is hundred’s of years old.

 When a courageous band of crusaders, the Knights of St. John, fought the Saracens for possession of the Holy Land, they encountered a new weapon never before seen by the European armies. It was a simple but devastating and horrible weapon of war. It brought 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 struck by glass bombs containing naphtha. When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled a flaming torch in their midst.

 Hundreds of the knights were burned alive; others risked their lives to save their bvrothers in arms from dying painful fiery deaths..

 These men became our first firefighters and the first of a long line of courageous firefighters. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow Crusaders who awarded each man 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 became known as the Maltese Cross.

 The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that the fire fighters who wear this cross are willing to lay down their lives for you, just as the Crusaders did so many centuries ago. The Maltese Cross is a fire fighters badge of honor, signifying that he or she works in courage….a ladder-rung away from death.

 Bobby Parrish

 Visit the First Due Fire Museum at http://www.firstduefiremuseum.com

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