The Veterans of Foreign Wars of
The United States of America
 adopted the Cross of Malta for
its symbol because it has has a heritage
of honor, duty, sacrifice and courage dating
back to the 11th Century.

The Cross originated in the Knights of St.
John, a strict order of crusaders founded
to maintain a hospital for pilgrims going
to the Holy Land. The order evolved into
two divisions: Knights Templar - famed
for their ability to fight; and Knights
Hospitaler, humanitarians providing
for the sick and distressed.

The Knights established branches
throughout Europe and moved their
headquarters from Cyprus to Rhodes
to Malta. In the 16th Century they
became known as the Knights of Malta.

The Knight's insignia was basically the
same as that used by VFW. It is an
8-pointed cross formed by four arrowheads
meeting at the points. Each represents one
of the Beatitudes taken from Jesus' Sermon
on the Mount. The arrowheads indicated the
knights were willing to fight for the principles
of justice and truth although their order was
basically a peaceful one.

This outlook is similar to that of the VFW,
devoted to peace but comprised of men who
have fought and are willing to fight again, for
those principles which embody the individual
liberties and dignities of men.