Ceremonial units from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall played a pivotal part in recreating and celebrating history during the observance Sept. 9 of one of America’s oldest holidays.
The United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), The Presidential Salute Battery, Caisson Platoon, The U.S. Army Drill Team and The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps displayed its talents in front of history lovers and citizens of Baltimore on the grounds of the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine during Defenders Day weekend.
Defenders Day is a holiday in Baltimore and the state of Maryland and commemorates the defense of Baltimore during the War of 1812. The bombardment of Fort McHenry in Sept. 1814 was part of the Battle of Baltimore and inspired Francis Scott Key – an observer of the bombardment – to write the lyrics to what became The Star Spangled Banner.
According to the National Park Service, the first Defenders Day observance took place in 1815 – a year after the battle.
An afternoon Twilight Tattoo-style, patriotic performance was conducted near the star fort. But before the drill team, the salute battery, the fife and drum corps, Caisson Platoon and “Pershing’s Own” entertained visitors, 38 men and women took the U.S. Army oath of enlistment.
Brig. Gen. Robert C. Frick, deputy commanding general, 29th Infantry Division, was the host of the performance and the mass enlistment.
“We celebrate our nation’s rich history and to honor those who were fighters who sacrificed so much to establish the freedom that we all enjoy today,” Frick said. “It is my distinct honor and privilege to play a small role in passing the torch to a new generation of warriors who are about to take the oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Throughout the historic site, visitors were treated to weapons-firing demonstrations, fort tours, a morning flag raising and an evening concert and mock bombardment featuring The U.S. Army Band and the guns of The Presidential Salute Battery.
“We’re pretty excited because we only do this about once a year or twice a year,” said Presidential Salute Battery’s Spc. Alexander Matthews of the historical reenactment. “It’s actually pretty cool to see what it might have been like back in the day when you were under attack. McHenry will actually be under attack, and we will be defending the fort.”
The U.S. Army Concert Band, The U.S. Army Chorus and Herald Trumpets performed Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture during the evening performance.
Pentagram Staff Writer Jim Dresbach can be reached at jdresbach@dcmilitary.com.