Music, jets flying overhead, fireworks and the American flag soaring high in the sky ? all the ingredients for a well-celebrated Flag Day at Fort McHenry.
“What better place to recite the Pledge of Allegiance than under the star-spangled banner flying above you?” said Chief Ranger Vince Vaise of the Fort McHenry National Monument and HistoricShrine.
Vaise said Flag Day is an important holiday, especially for Marylanders, as Baltimore is the birthplace of the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“The American flag is a prevalent symbol,” Vaise said. “It?s easy to take it for granted. Flag Day keeps that from happening.”
“Flag Day should be every day to let people know how important it is,” said Pearl Harbor survivor and Maryland Commission of Veteran Affairs Edward T. Robertson Sr. He said too many people disrespect the flag.
The festivities kicked off Wednesday evening with the 229th Maryland Army National Guard Band and the presentation of colors by the Maryland Wing Civil Air Patrol.
The program included a parade of all 50 state flags and brief speeches from Gov. Robert Ehrlich, Mayor Martin O?Malley and Rep. Benjamin Cardin.
The newly released Purple Heart stamp was presented by the Baltimore Post Office, in conjunction with the theme of honoring veterans.
