Here are some photos from yesterday’s event at Arlington Cemetery.
A Fife and Drum Corps from Fort McHenry kicked things off with spirited renditions of War of 1812 music. Great job and you just know they are ready for fall weather.
NPS Ranger Matthew Penrod gave an excellent interpretive talk on the political situation leading up to the war, why Baltimore was such a hot-bed of activity, and touched on the Canadian and native American aspects. Afterwards, two rangers led us over to the graves of General Lingan, George Washington Parke Custis, and others.
Custis, step-grandson of George Washington, was raised by George and Martha. He built Arlington House as a tribute and living memorial to Washington. A Federalist who was at the Battle of Bladensburg, he delivered Lingan’s eulogy.
About 2,260 Americans died from combat, or 1 for every 3,000.
We passed by the grave of Abner Doubleday. Interesting that his marker does not mention baseball. It’s as if they knew of the myth, or suspected so.
The event ended with a bang. Tongue-in-cheek, I asked the man next to me, “Is it just a coincidence the cannon points southward?”
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