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~~~When a courageous band of crusaders known as the
Knights of St. John, fought the Saracens for
possession of the holy land, they encountered
a new weapon unknown to European warriors. It
was a simple, but a horrible device of war, it
wrought excruciating pain and agonizing death
upon the brave fighters for the cross. The
Saracen's weapon was, fire. As the crusaders
advanced on the walls of the city, they were
struck by glass bombs containing naphtha.
Whenthey became saturated with the highly
flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled a
flaming torch into their midst.~~~
~~~Hundreds of the knights were burned alive;
others risked their lives to save their
brothers-in-arms from dying painful, fiery
deaths. Thus, 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
similar to the one firemen 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 came
to be known as the Maltese Cross. The Maltese
Cross is your symbol of protection. It means
that the fireman who wears this cross
is willing to lay down his life for you
just as the crusaders sacrificed their lives for their
fellow man so many years ago.
The Maltese Cross is a fireman's badge of honor,
signifying that he works in courage - a ladder
rung away from death.~~~
-anonymous
This Site Was designed and is maintained by Jenn O'Connor
© Copyright 2002, Crestas VFD. All Rights Reserved.
E-Mail Station 212
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