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VFW Post 3830 - The Biggest Little Post in Hawaii

Honor the Dead by Helping the Living

History of the 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, and (5) the

peacemakers, (6) blessed are they that mourn, and (7) seek righteousness,

and (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.  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.

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.  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 world’s oldest and largest overseas war veteran’s organization.  It is

chartered by the Congress of the United States.  That charter states

specifically that the objects of the VFW shall be fraternal, patriotic, historical

and educational; that its members shall preserve and strengthen

comradeship; that they shall maintain allegiance to the government of the

United States and fidelity to its laws; that VFW members shall foster true

patriotism, extend American freedom and defend this nation from all enemies.

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 2.1 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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