Saturday, November 15, 2014

Aloha to Fort McHenry

Baltimore.org

Last weekend, we hosted distant cousins from England.  On Sunday, it was a clear crisp day to visit Fort McHenry.  From its website (link),

O! say can you see, by the dawn's early light, a large red, white and blue banner? 


Whose broad stripes and bright stars . . . were so gallantly streaming! 

Over the star-shaped Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore, September 13-14, 1814. The valiant defense of the fort inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."


Fort McHenry displays the cannon balls from the War of 1812.


The cannons date to the Civil War.


The guides dressed in WWI uniforms.


Notice the 48 stars from WWII flag ...


... demonstrating how Fort McHenry has been used since the War of 1812.


We bumped into a promotion celebration for Navy reservists.


The Baltimore Fire Department docks Fire Boat No. 2 at Fort McHenry.  It is named for former Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr. 

Have you visited a coastal defense?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's posts wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 22, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 23.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City


6 comments:

  1. I have been to Fort Mc Henry. I am not sure if the Groton Sub Base counts.

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  2. Just this summer we were in San Pedro, CA and saw Fort MacArthur which provided defense to the Los Angeles harbor from 1914 to 1974.

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  3. I've visited Ft. Sumter & Ft Moultrie at Charleston SC. I hope to get to Fort McHenry one of these days when I'm in Baltimore.

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