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"Lord, hold our troops
in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for
us in our time of need. In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen."
Let us never forget their sacrifice...
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.
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 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 To preserve
and Strengthen Comradeship among its members, To assist worthy comrades, to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead,
and to assist their widows and orphans. To maintain true allegiance to the government of the United States of America and
fidelity to its constitution and laws, to foster true patriotism, to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom,
and 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 2.1 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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