Sept. 11 remembrance held during Baltimore Navy Week

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Lacordrick Wilson | Atholton High School Air Force Junior ROTC salutes the national ensign during a 9/11 ceremony held at Fort McHenry, in participation of the Star-Spangled Spectacular. This event celebrates the bicentennial of the Battle of Baltimore which provided the inspiration for Francis Scott Key's famous poem, "Defence of Fort McHenry," which later became America's national anthem. More than 30 ships from the U.S. and foreign nations, and the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels aircraft will be on display and open to the public. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lacordrick Wilson/Released)  

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, UNITED STATES

09.11.2014

Courtesy Story

Naval District Washington

By Mass Communication Specialist Amy Kirk, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

FORT MCHENRY, Md. - Service members, civilians and first responders from New York and Baltimore gathered Sept. 11 at Fort McHenry for a ceremony in remembrance of the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

The event, held to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, included a wreath-laying ceremony, live music, and a display featuring the 9/11 flag that was salvaged from the ruins of the World Trade Center. This is the first time the flag has been displayed at the birthplace of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

“The Star-Spangled Banner is a true American icon that forever remains constant in our lives in the face of disaster,” said Tina Cappetta, Fort McHenry National Park Service superintendent. “Where more appropriate than Fort McHenry to bring a tremendously powerful symbol of American resolve.”

Park rangers and living historians also made remarks relating the Battle of Baltimore with the events of 9/11.

“When I began my career at Fort McHenry in 1999, it was a challenge to help visitors to understand and connect to the level of fear and anxiety Americans experienced in 1814 after the burning Washington and the bombardment of Fort McHenry and Baltimore,” said Ranger Jim Bailey. “The War of 1812 was remote and disconnected from our modern life, but 2001 changed all of that. In an instant, we all can now understand how one moment can not only change our lives forever, but could wound deeply the heart and soul of our nation.”

Bailey added that the patriotism experienced during the aftermath of the terrorist attacks could also be seen and felt 200 years ago when a different generation of men and women feared for the future of their nation in the face of adversity.

“When we are truly tested, our nation and our people stand together and stand strong,” said Bailey. “This is the feeling that [Francis Scott] Key captured in our national anthem. The feeling he saw wrapped in the flag that morning was over these very ramparts. And it was his hope that it would always be so.”

The ceremony ended with the playing of Taps and the reading of the Baltimore residents killed on 9/11 and during the 1814 defense of Baltimore.

The event was held in conjunction with Baltimore Navy Week, Sept. 10-16, 2014, and is part of the city of Baltimore's Star-Spangled Spectacular. This event celebrates the bicentennial of the Battle of Baltimore that provided the backdrop of Francis Scott Key's famous poem, "The Defence of Fort McHenry," which later became America's national anthem. Along with more than 30 ships from the U.S. and foreign nations, the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels will be on display and accessible to the public.

To learn more about Baltimore Navy Week, visit www.navy.mil and to learn more about the Star Spangled Spectacular, visit http://www.starspangled200.com

• Date Taken: 09.11.2014
• Date Posted: 09.11.2014 16:47
• Story ID: 141860
• Location: BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, US