I had an incredible experience. One that will stay with me long into the future.
I went to Ft. McHenry, the inspiration for the national anthem. Francis Scott Key, a Georgetown attorney, was seeking release of his friend, Dr. William Beanes from the British. Though Scott and John Stuart Skinner were able to secure the release of Beanes, the British thought they knew too much about plans to attack Baltimore. The British kept them on the on board one of their ships until the bombardment was complete.
From the ship deck, Key saw the storm flag flying above Ft. McHenry and could see the bombs bursting in the night sky above the fort. In the morning as the smoke cleared and the bombing ended, Key saw the larger flag flyer above the fort. All of this served as his inspiration. The date was September 3, 1814.
When visiting Ft. McHenry today, they have a wonderful video that provides the backdrop on the fort and its history. As the story reaches the writing of Key's poem, the curtains covering the window open to reveal the fort and the flag flying above.
It was amazing!
I knew the story of Key and the words. In fact, I tell people about the connection with his son and General Sickles from the Civil War (I'll leave this for another blog post.) I have sang the national anthem hundreds of times, for small groups and large. Now, I will always have the picture of the flag at the fort in my head when I sing the national anthem.
Happy Memorial Day!
I went to Ft. McHenry, the inspiration for the national anthem. Francis Scott Key, a Georgetown attorney, was seeking release of his friend, Dr. William Beanes from the British. Though Scott and John Stuart Skinner were able to secure the release of Beanes, the British thought they knew too much about plans to attack Baltimore. The British kept them on the on board one of their ships until the bombardment was complete.
From the ship deck, Key saw the storm flag flying above Ft. McHenry and could see the bombs bursting in the night sky above the fort. In the morning as the smoke cleared and the bombing ended, Key saw the larger flag flyer above the fort. All of this served as his inspiration. The date was September 3, 1814.
When visiting Ft. McHenry today, they have a wonderful video that provides the backdrop on the fort and its history. As the story reaches the writing of Key's poem, the curtains covering the window open to reveal the fort and the flag flying above.
It was amazing!
I knew the story of Key and the words. In fact, I tell people about the connection with his son and General Sickles from the Civil War (I'll leave this for another blog post.) I have sang the national anthem hundreds of times, for small groups and large. Now, I will always have the picture of the flag at the fort in my head when I sing the national anthem.
Happy Memorial Day!
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