Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Scenes From Defenders Day 2013

A panoramic view of Ft. McHenry where on September 14, 1814, American forces turned back the British invasion of Baltimore. When the following morning Francis Scott Key saw the American flag still flying above the fort, he penned "The Star-Bangled Banner," a.k.a. the National Anthem.

In honor of the occasion, volunteers for the Maryland Historical Society made a full-sized replica of the Star-Bangled Banner using period materials and methods. The "Stitchers," as they were known, received a pin and ribbon like the ones worn here by Katie-Bar-The-Door.

Active duty Marines donned the uniforms of their 200 year old counterparts and demonstrated the proper technique for firing an early 19th century cannon.

Mr Boh keeps an eye on us all.

All I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.

Gov. Martin O'Malley and the horse he rode in on.

Preparing to hoist the flag. At thirty feet by forty-two feet, they needed the entire parade ground to unfold it.

And there it goes ...

Long may she wave. Note the unique design: fifteen stars, fifteen stripes.

3 comments:

  1. ...awesome stuff, MM!!! I need to hit Ft. McHenry next time I'm up there...which actually, is gonna be in a few weeks, well, en route to Atlantic City, anyway... but will stop by to see relatives over in Ellicott City... I've been to the Inner Harbor a few times, but the 'Constellation' and Aquarium area only...

    Sad to hear of the tragedy at the Naval Yard... how far is that from Baltimore? I know Annapolis is a bit south from y'all, but not sure if it was near Annapolis or not...

    KIG, MM!

    Hu
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  2. Sad to hear of the tragedy at the Naval Yard... how far is that from Baltimore?

    They're about 35 miles apart. But Katie-Bar-The-Door and I (and Mr. Muleboy and his bride) have a season ticket plan for the Washington Nationals who play next door to the Navy Yard -- so close, the Metro stop is "Navy Yard" and you can see the ship docked next door from the stadium. We've joked that you can see Leroy Jethro Gibbs's office from our seats. The team has a lot of tie-in's to the military, especially with the wounded veterans from Walter Reed who get prime tickets to every game and receive a standing ovation at the top of the 4th. Even the celebratory horn that sounds after a home run or a win is a submarine's alarm.

    And then most of Katie's co-workers are military or ex-military, Mister Muleboy works for a government agency, and I used to. As Davey Johnson said, Monday felt like an attack on family.

    How long, O Lord?

    We were at the game on Sunday and the game last night. The mood last night was solemn and subdued and then maybe a little cathartic after the Nats won. But reading the Post this morning, with stories about each of the twelve victims -- just brutal.

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  3. ...man...didn't know it was that close to the Nats house... I guess I saw 'Navy' and automatically thought Annapolis... I knew it was a very solemn night at the game...good to see them win, even over the Bravoes, the closest we have around here to a team...
    Of course, T&P to all the families and to y'all as well... kinda know the feeling, when we had the tornado deal, a bad feeling of not knowing what or how to do something for folks affected... Thanks again for the info, MM - you and Katie hang in there...

    Hu
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