Malteser Relief Service 1969 - Germany / Federal Republic of Germany 1969 - 30 Pfennig

The worldwide operation of the Malteser relief service in the field of disaster response, the accident rescue and social service is the occasion for the issue of the special postage stamp. As the youngest branch of the Order of Knights of Malta (founded in 1099), the German Malteser Relief Service, founded in 1955, established an organization according to the will of its founders (Deutscher Caritasverband and the two German Malteser cooperatives) dedicated to caring for the wounded, the injured, the sick, and the needy, an activity that had a great past before any other institution undertook similar tasks. This order of care for the sick and the needy has the same validity for the young German organization as it did 900 years ago when the Order of Malta was founded. Participation in the field of first-aid training, on-road accident rescue service, etc. means nothing more than a continuation of the old mission in timely adaptation to the needs of modern human society. The staff of this organization and bearers of the Maltese cross feel committed to this mission and are of good will to carry the eight-pointed cross into our time as a sign of knightly service to the suffering neighbor and to our people regardless of denomination, nationality and race. The Federal Government has recognized the Malteser Hilfsdienst as a national relief organization within the meaning of Article 26 of the First Geneva Convention. The eight-pointed white Maltese cross on a red background. Elder sign of humanitarian and Christian helpfulness. The eight tips are reminiscent of the Sermon on the Mount with the eight bliss, symbol of knightly virtues. The Maltese cross is carried on the service clothing and the ambulance of Malteser relief service in crest form.