The W. Carl Reed Post is
located at:
1121 Gamble Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4284 Little Rock, Arkansas 72214-4284
(501) 225-9849 Canteen. (501) 224-8037 Office. (501) 224-8037
FAX.
The Cross
of Malta
The Cross
of Malta, emblem
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, is more
than a 1,000 years old. It was 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 or freedom and to aid
the sick and the needy. Those ancient obligations are still
symbolized by the Cross of Malta. And
today, 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
that:
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. And 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 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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For More Information E-Mail Ron Helton here.