Star Spangled Celebration

This past week, Baltimore has been celebrating the bicentennial of the War of 1812. 200 years ago this week, the United States declared war on England. In 1814, the Star Spangled Banner was written in the waters near Fort McHenry which is down the street from our house.  Francis Scott Key was being held captive on a British ship in the water. The British bombed the fort for 25 hours beginning at 6 a.m. on September 13, 1814. When Key woke the following morning, he could see the flag still waving over the fort and he knew that we held off the attack. "O say soes that Star Spangled Banner still wave, o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"

Our city has been celebrating this bicentennial event in style. Last week, we had sixty ships come into the harbor to stay for the week. 

 Unfortunately, the wind was blowing so hard in the opposite direction, that the ships needed to come in with their sails down. We are going to watch them leave tomorrow and hope the wind cooperates for them to have their sails up.

Yesterday, there was an air show featuring the Blue Angels, so we were fortunate enough to see it all from our roof top deck.  Ben was all set with ear plugs.

And then one of these big boys flew straight over our heads and he bailed.  He wanted to go straight downstairs. Which he did. With my assistance. 

It was crazy to see the planes and our church in the same view.

 And of course, the pilots had fun showing the harbor folk their tricks.  This was the first time the Blue Angels have been to Baltimore since 1959!

 Not a bad view!

The planes can go up to 720 mph and the pilots have to clench their bodies to regulate their own blood pressure since their cockpits can't fit them in a "g-suit".  After the 45 minute show, they are exhausted and rightfully so. Way to go guys! Thanks for a great show and for all you do!