Rosanne Spiteri Cutajar (July 26) points out that the George Cross is the symbol of a foreign dominating power, "a constant reminder of foreign rule". Norman E. Grech made the same point earlier. How true!

I think that so many of us would love to see it replaced by the eight-pointed Maltese cross, a symbol associated with Malta the world over. The Maltese cross will soon also be on the reverse "national" side of the Maltese euro coins, and rightly so.

Truly, the time has come to seriously consider removing the George Cross. Now, I completely empathise with those who feel that the cross was deserved, a symbol of bravery and resistance despite aversion.

It was earned - yet within the context of a nation that was denied the right to its own statehood. It is also a symbol of subjugation, colonialism and suppression.

Nationhood and a sense of national pride are found from within - not from the honours, however bestowed, by a coloniser. The rightful place for the George Cross today is a museum, along with the wealth we have inherited from our brave forebears. Malta has earned its statehood and equality among its European partners. How proud our ancestors would have been of what we have achieved! We deserve a flag that recognises that we are so much more than an appendage to a foreign power.