Flag Rises by Dawn’s Early Light at Fort McHenry

BALTIMORE, MD, UNITED STATES

09.14.2014

Courtesy Story

Naval District Washington

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kameren Guy Hodnett
Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

BALTIMORE – Visitors and special guests watched as members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), with the help of re-enactors from the War of 1812, raised 15-star/15-stripe, full-size replica Star-Spangled Banner flag over Fort McHenry Sept. 14 at the “By Dawn’s Early Light” flag raising ceremony.

At precisely 9 a.m., guns blasted and the crowd of onlookers fell silent as service members raised a 30-foot by 42-foot replica of the flag that 200 years ago inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Defence of Fort McHenry” which would later become our national anthem.

“It is a great pleasure for me to be here at this historic site and historic city of Baltimore as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of our Star Spangle Banner,” said guest speaker, retired Gen. Colin Powell. “It’s a piece of cloth I have loved all my life and have served under for over 40 years."

The special ceremony capped a weeklong series of events at the fort for Baltimore’s Star-Spangled Spectacular, a celebration commemorating the bicentennial of the Battle of Baltimore and the national anthem.

The fort played host to a number of special events and activities including commemorative ceremonies, living history demonstrations and interpretive programs during Star-Spangled Spectacular.

The city’s celebration, which concludes Sept. 16, also includes visits by more than 30 ships from the U.S. and foreign nations, as well as an airshow performance by U.S. Navy's Blue Angels.

• Date Taken: 09.14.2014
• Date Posted: 09.14.2014 16:51
• Story ID: 142108
• Location: BALTIMORE, MD, US