The badge of a fireman is the Maltese Cross.
This Maltese Cross is the symbol of protection and a badge of honor.
It's story is hundreds of years old.

When the courageous band of crusaders known as the Knights of St. John
fought the Sacaren's for possession of the Holy land,
they encountered a new weapon unknown to Eurpoean warriors.
It was a simple, but horrible device of war,
it wrought excrutiating pain and agonizing death
upon the brave fighters for the cross.
The Sacaren's weapon was fire.

These men became our first firemen
and the first of a long list of courageous firefighters.
Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow crusaders
who awarded each here a badge of honor,
a cross similiar to the one firemen wear today.
Since the Knights of St. John lived close to four
centuries ago on an island in the Mediterranean Sea
it's name Malta, the cross came to be known as the
Maltese Cross.

The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection.
It means that the firemen who wear this cross,
are willing to lay down their lives for you,
just as the crusaders sacrificed their lives
for their fellow man so many years ago.

The Maltese Cross is a firefighter's badge of honor,
signifying that he works in courage,
a ladder rung away from death.

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