The Maltese Cross

The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection - a badge of honor - and its story is a thousand years old.

The Knights of St. John revolutionized warfare. For more than six centuries the medieval Knights dominated the battlefields. At first, the church attempted to tame them, but later enlisted them to help with the first crusade of 1095.

When the Crusaders fought the Saracens for possession of the Holy Land, they encountered a new weapon, until then unknown to European warriors. It was a simple but horrible device of war; it wrought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave fighters.

The Saracens' weapon was fire. As the Crusaders advanced they were struck by glass bombs containing naphtha and flaming oil.

Hundreds of Knights were burned alive. The Knights of St. John risked their lives to save their brothers-in-arms from dying painful, fiery deaths.

Thus, these men became our first firefighters. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow Crusaders who awarded each hero a badge of honor, a cross similar to the one firefighters wear today, which they wore proudly on their chest.

The Knights of St. John eventually moved to the Island of Malta, and since they lived there for nearly four centuries, the cross came to be known as the "Maltese Cross."

The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It lets you know that the firefighter who wears it is willing to lay down his life to save you, as the Knights of St. John did for their fellows centuries ago.

The Maltese Cross is a firefighter's badge of honor, signifying that he works with courage, charity, loyalty, chivalry, honesty, integrity, honor, pride, dedication, selflessness, discipline, ethics and dignity.... a ladder rung away from death.

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St. Florian, the Patron Saint of Firefighters

Florian was a third century officer in the Roman army stationed in what is now modern Austria. He was the military administrator of the town of Noricum, and a closet Christian.
Florian once stopped an entire town from burning by throwing a single bucket of water on the blaze, and thus his association with firefighters and those who protect us from fire.

When ordered to execute a group of Christians during the persecutions of Diocletian, Florian refused, professed his own faith and died a martyr in 304 a.d.

He was flayed alive, a stone was tied to his neck, and his body was dumped into a river Later, Florian's body was retrieved by Christians and buried at an Augustinian monastery.

St. Florian's day of memorial is May 4th.

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A Brief History of the 3-Piece Patch

The AMA says that they were founded to promote motorcycle riding in America.  They sanctioned riders that rode together.  Some of these riders wore matching outfits with the name of their club stitched onto their shirts and jackets.

In the early days, at events, the AMA gave awards for the best-dressed club.  This was how motorcycle club patches originated.

When the AMA was asked about the stereotypical portrayal of motorcyclsts in movies and in the media, they replied with their now infamous statement that "99% of motorcyclists were law-abiding citizens, and the last one percent were outlaws." That was how the term, "One percenter" was born.

In order to designate themselves as motorcycle clubs and not riding clubs or organizations or associations, the motorcuycle clubs began to seperate their club insignias into three separate pieces. The top rocker was the name of the club, the center was the emblem of the club, and the bottom rocker was the area that they were from.

The term colors is used in referring to a motorcycle club's patch set up.  In the case of a 3 piece patch, one piece is placed over the top of the middle patch and one is placed beneath it.  The top and bottom patches are known as rockers, with the top bar designating the club name and the lower bar designating the location of the club.  The two rockers are separate from the middle, larger, graphic type patch, hence the term three-piece patch. 

Motorcycle clubs differ from other motorcycling organizations as they traditionally have prospecting time required before the club members decide whether the individual will be accepted into the group and are allowed to wear the club's colors.  Motorcycle clubs will also have "MC" printed on the rocker or on a separate "cube" patch to further clarify it as a motorcycle club rather than an organization or association.

Generally, today's motorcycle club patches are recognized this way:

A one-piece patch normally signifies a family club or social motorcycle club with respect to the other area clubs, or can be an organization, such as HOG or VFW.

A two-piece patch can have many different meanings as long as it’s done with respect to the other area clubs, the most common being the designated patch scheme for riding clubs (RC).

A three-piece patch generally means that the club is a traditional MC (motorcycle club).  The traditional MC is one that adheres to the protocols and traditions established. With few exceptions, traditional clubs are approved by the local lead or dominant club. The traditional 3pc patch does not mean the club is a 1%'er club, a support club or even a dominant or lead club.