Links to the 150th Anniversary

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Star Spangled evening

After  a pleasant day at the Fort, we stay around for the evening concert and speeches which are supposed to start at 6:00 but are delayed until almost 7:00. We settle down on a spot on the grass, but all we can really see is the jumbo screen ( I think the other side would have been better).

On stage for the ceremony are several generations of politicians with connections to Baltimore and Maryland. The surprise is Nancy Pelosi, who is from Baltimore, and the St. Senator Sarbanes with the current senator Sarbanes, his son. The Lt Governor, running for Governor is featured, but generally the speeches by each of these tend to repeat the same tribute to Ft. McHenry, to the flag, to the city. Senator Sarbanes Sr. gives a history lesson, fascinating but long.

The highlight is Vice President Biden, who gives a dynamic, short pointed speech. The difference between his confident veteran style and that of Lt. Governor Brown is apparent to me and shows what being on the national stage has given him in terms of stature and projection.

The music ranges from Bagpipes to drum corps, gospel to patriotic as we wait for the grand finale. And it is worth waiting for. As they raise the large flag that is the replica of the original Star Spangled Banner, the fireworks begin in three locations over the harbor. For 20 thrilling minutes we are treated to unusual fireworks that spell out USA and form the flag (!).