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The
Maltese Cross |
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Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection and a badge of honor.
Its story is hundreds of years old. |
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The Knights of St. John, who risked their lives to save the
lives of their brothers-in-arms from a painful and fiery death
while battling the Saracens, became our first firemen. The first
of a long list of courageous Firefighters. Their heroic efforts
were recognized by fellow crusaders who awarded each a badge of
honor... a cross similar to the one Firefighters wear today. 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/she works in courage, a ladder-rung away from
death.
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Last
Alarm Foundation
Logo Origin
Their voices may
be silent,
Their spirits echo forever.
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Unity
of the Rose
and
Black Maltese Cross
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What
greater tribute to departed Firefighters
than to honor them with the National Floral Emblem and Maltese
Cross symbolizing:
| Respect |
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Courage |
| Gratitude |
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Reverence |
| Eternal
Love |
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The
Rose |
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The
National Floral Emblem
of the United States |
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On November 20, 1986, President Ronald Regan signed Proclamation
5574, naming the Rose as the "National Floral Emblem" of
the United States of America.
Americans have always loved flowers, with which God decorates our
land. More often than any other flower, we hold the rose dear as
the symbol of Life and Love and Devotion, of Beauty and Eternity.
For the love of man and woman, for the love of mankind and God,
for the love of country, Americans who would speak the language of
the heart do so with a rose.
We find roses throughout our art, music, and literature. We
decorate our celebrations and parades with roses. Most of all, we
present Roses to those we love, and we lavish them on our alters,
our civil shrines, and the final resting places of our honored
dead.
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