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.
