...all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by...

This year, for only the 6th time in 50 years, a flag was raised calling the Tall Ships of the World to gather to commemorate the 200th anniversary of The War of 1812.

200 yrs ago, for the 2nd time in 30 years, a flag was raised calling the armies of a new North American nation, it's younger sibling to the North, the native North America people and their Old Colonial Masters across the sea to war.

Called The Forgotten War, it gave birth to a new Canadian Nation to the North, an ascendant United States Navy, A White House, painted bright white in defiance after being burned by the British and the lyrics to the young Nation's National Anthem; written on a Tall Ship anchored in Baltimore Harbor approach while watching the British bombardment of Ft McHenry.

In Mid June, as part of OpSail 2012, the Tall Ships returned to Baltimore Harbor. Flying flags of friendship, gliding past Ft McHenry, cannons again thundered. First from the Fort came a welcoming volley, with a refrain in reply from each visiting Ship.

OpSail 2012, Baltimore, MD. - Tall Ships, Navy Grey Hulls, Blue Angles, Sailors and Songs. Almost missed was a touching ceremony. 4 threads from the 1812 Flag that flew atop Ft McHenry, gleaming in that day's dawn early light, were stitched into the National 9/11 flag that flew atop the World Trade Center on that day's darkened light

...our Flag was still there...

Captain and Crew of Tainui