Flag of Malta TB

This trackable is unusual for its longevity. In the five-year period, 2010-14, the owner released a total of 1720 trackables in the United States (96%) and Europe (4%). This trackable is one of the 5% of the total that circulated for at least 5 years and had been moved at least 25 times.  That is a rate of at least five drops per year for five years, or a drop every 73 days.  As of 25-Jun-20, this particular trackable had survived for 8.2 years and had been moved by 54 cachers, for an average release every 55 days. How far can it get?  Keep it moving!

No permission is needed to leave the U.S.  While in the U.S., please drop it in a Premium Member only OR a rural cache near a busy trail or road. Do not place it in an urban cache or abandon it at a caching event where there is no security.  Transport the bug in the original plastic bag for as long as the bag lasts; the bag keeps the trackable clean, protects the number and prevents tangling with other items.  Otherwise, take the trackable anywhere you wish.

Trackable photos are appreciated and will be re-posted here.

Patch of flag of Malta.  The Flag of Malta is a basic bi-color, with white in the hoist and red in the fly: colors from the blazon of the arms of Malta. Tradition states that the colors of the flag were given to Malta by Count Roger of Sicily, in 1091. The banner of Count Roger was a checkered red and white flag and he gave a set from this banner.  A key stronghold during the Crusades, much of the heraldry of Malta is influenced by the colors and devices of the Knights of Malta. Their badge was the characteristic Maltese cross, and their arms were a white cross on a red field. From these colors came the red and white shield that was used during Malta's colonial period.  
 
In the upper hoist corner (in the canton of the white field) is the George Cross (showing a design of St. George and the Dragon), outlined in red, with the motto "For Gallantry" encircling the cross.  The honor was awarded in 1942 by King George VI to the entire Maltese population, for their exceptional bravery and gallantry during World War II.  In 1964, the blue canton on which the cross was originally placed was replaced by a red fimbriation.  This flag was adopted upon Malta's being granted dominion status within the British Empire, on 21 September 1964. The dominion of Malta existed until 1971 when Malta became a republic, although the flag remained the same. The Maltese national flag is unique in bearing a decoration from another country, in this case the United Kingdom and this raised controversy in the years following Malta's independence.