Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The Blue Angels

This past weekend was the Star Spangled Sailabration 
in Baltimore Harbor, MD.  
The activities commemorated the start of 
the War of 1812 - 200 years ago. 


The Battle of Baltimore 
provided Frances Scott Key 
with the inspiration for writing what is now 
the National Anthem of the USA.
Did you know there are four verses?
I didn't, until now.



Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!



The Blue Angels joined in the celebration with an aerial show. 
Amazing as always. 


The purpose of the Blue Angels 
is to enhance naval recruiting 
and to serve as ambassadors representing 
the Navy and Marine Corps.
I think they did a great job!



7 comments:

Kmcblackburn said...

You really get around! :) The Blue Angels always remind me of sitting in my backyard and watching them fly overhead and Willow Grove Air Show. They would fly so low I could see the pilots...great memories.

Dianne said...

the blue angels are majestic
I saw them a few times at Coney Island
great shots Rebecca, I never got a photo of them half as good as these

Kathy said...

Blue Angels - a perfect subject for your Blues theme. I've never had the opportunity to see the Angels although I've seen a performance by the Air Force's Thunderbirds.

Kerry said...

Oh man, those jets make a spectacular sight against the blue sky. So stirring.

I think 4 verses is too many, but that's just me.

Jim said...

I love the Blue Angels. Since we moved to the north side of town (Houston) we are away from the used-to-be air base which is now a National Guard base and don't get to have the spill over flights of the air shows.
Very nice picture of them, Rebecca.
..

Unknown said...

Whoah, I love that stunning last shot! Although I don't know if I would like to be IN an airplane that's doing that:)

Dimple said...

I didn't know there are 4 verses, either. Thanks for posting them.