USS Hurricane, USS Monsoon to Kick-Off War of 1812 Commemoration

USS Hurricane (PC 3) and USS Monsoon (PC 4) arrived in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Nov. 16 for the launch of Maryland’s Star-Spangled Bicentennial, a War of 1812 commemoration event that will be held here in June 2012.

With Sailors manning the rails, the ships will join Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Department of the Navy General Counsel Paul L. Oostburg Sanz, Rear. Adm. William Moran, and chairman of Operation Sail (OpSail), Inc., Jose Fuentes for a ceremony Nov. 17 to kick-off the multiyear commemoration of the War of 1812.

“This area is the perfect place to launch a commemoration as there is so much history here,” said Hurricane Commanding Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Eddie Bertucci. “Coming into port, we passed Fort McHenry, a national monument and historic shrine, famous as the birthplace of the star-spangled banner.”

“It is a great privilege to sail into Baltimore Harbor, which is an epicenter of our Naval heritage, and to follow in the footsteps of the heroes who fought in defense of America two-hundred years ago,” Bertucci said.

Hurricane, moored on the Inner Harbor West Wall, will also host visitors during the two-day visit. The Norfolk, Va-based crew opened the brow from noon to 3:00 p.m. and will do so again tomorrow immediately following the 11:30 a.m. ceremony. The ceremony is expected to last 30-minutes and will be take place in the city’s Bicentennial Plaza.

The War of 1812 marked a critical period in U.S. history when the nation was forced to fight for its independence – a second time. The bicentennial events will commemorate this milestone in American history, and serve to provide the public a greater understanding of the pivotal role the sea services played in securing a final victory.

Beginning next year and continuing through 2015, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard, along with Operation Sail and a host of partners, will commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812. Week-long events, will include parades of sail, public visitation, spectacular air shows, international athletic competitions, and community relations activities. Signature events will mark the occasions in New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Baltimore/Annapolis,Md., and Boston/New London, Conn.

Similar events will also take place in the Great Lakes ports of Milwaukee; Chicago; Toledo, Ohio; Cleveland; Detroit and Buffalo, N.Y.

“While a lot has changed in these locations over the past 200 years, one thing that will never change is that more than two-thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered with water,” said Monsoon Commanding Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Ryan Ventresca. “With 90 percent of world trade traveling on those oceans and seas, it’s still critical after all those years to keep the world’s sea lanes open and free, which is why it is so important for us to have a strong Navy.”

Many of the qualities that helped the Navy carry the day 200 years ago during the War of 1812 still hold true today: our fighting spirit; our ingenuity and technological supremacy; the direct tie between a strong Navy and a prosperous America; and the Navy’s key role in preserving American sovereignty.

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Naval Today Staff, November 18, 2011; Image: navy