DECK LOG "our flag was still there ... "
T
he Naval History and Heritage Command has great plans in store for the commemoration of the bicentennials of both the War of 1812 and the Star Spangled Banner. In partnership with OpSail, they will organize a parade of sail up the Eas t Coast, from New Orleans to New York, Norfolk, Annapolis, Baltimore, Boston, and N ew London. There will be opportunities for students to engage in hands-on learning, to correspond with ships' crews and to sail on a ship. There will be books and lesson plans for students of all ages to learn about the War of 1812, about the Hag and the National Anthem, about the navy and tall sailing ships from around the world. It will be an unparalleled opportunity for authors, teachers, museums, ships and organizations to participate and help teach the important lessons of our early maritime heritage. Rear Admiral Joh n Padgett, USN (Rec.), is chairing the War of 181 2 Commemoration Advisory Board. He explained, "The War of 18 12 defi ned the point of maturity of the US Navy, when the navy went from being an ad-hoc group of patriots to being a strong unified group whose missio n and capability were put to the test and found successful. Colonists were inspired by the battle successes of the fledgling navy over the greatest navy in the world and came to view their young co untry as one on its way to a par with great nations. 181 2 was the last chapter of the Revolutionary War. The great naval battles proved that the new country had the character and will to take on the great nations of the world to secure her freedom. Quite appropriately, the National Anthem was penned as a result of a batde of that war. "We believe and hope that this event and others to follow will educate the public about the value of having a powerful navy. Even in the years before 181 2, in fighting the Barbary pirates for free trade opportunities for America's merchants, a strong navy was critical to go out to the world to protect American interests . This is even more important today. Each navy ship built is expensive. The public needs to understand the value of a well-trained, technically well-equipped ship. History has taught us the higher price of not hav ing the ships. We need to make sure the American public knows the value of what they are buying." Rear Admiral J ay D eLoach, USN (Ret.), Director of the Naval History and H eritage Command, added, "The Chief of Naval Operations looks to ¡the commemoration of the War of 181 2 as a great opportunity to reconnect America with its maritime heritage, providing a histo ric background, which can reiterate to America the tenets of our maritime strategy and the reasons to maintain a strong navy in defense of our nation and in protection of our maritime trade." William H . White, NMHS trustee, C hairman of the NMHS Committee to Co mmemorate the War of 1812, and trustee liaiso n to the Sea History Advisory Board, has committed Sea H istory to publishing material on the War of 181 2 in every issue for the next three years. We invite your articles and will promote yo ur events. Send information to editorial@seahistory.org or bgreen@seahistory.org. We are honored to be working on this important commemoration with such an outstanding team. -Burchenal Green, President
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NATIONALMARITIME HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PUBLISHER'S C IRC LE : Perer Aro n, Guy E.
C. Maitland, Will iam H. W hi re OFFICERS & TRUSTEES: Chairman, Ron ald L. Oswa ld; Vice Chairman, Ri chard o R. Lopes; President, Burchenal G ree n; Vice Presidents, D eirdre O'Regan , Na ncy Schn aars; Treasurer, Howard Slom ick; Secretary, Thom as F. D aly. Trustees: C harl es B. Anderso n , Walrer R. Brown, Jam es Ca rrer, David S. Fowler, Vi rgini a Sreele G rubb , Karen H elm erso n, Ro ben Kamm , Ri chard M. Larrabee, James J . McNamara, Richard Scarano , Philip J. Shapiro , Perer H. Sharp, Bradford D. Sm irh, H . C. Bowen Sm irh , Cesare Sario, Philip J . Websrer, Dani el W. W h alen , William H. W hire. Trustees Elect: RADM Joseph F. Callo, USNR (Rer.), W illi am Jackso n Green , Cap r. Sally C hin M cElwreath , USNR (Rer.) , M ichael W Mo rrow, Timorhy J. Runyan, Jean Worr. Chairmen Emeriti, Wa lrer R. Brown, Alan G . C hoare, G uy E. C. Maitl and , H owa rd Slorni ck; President Emeritus, Pete r Sra nford FOUND ER: Karl Korrum (19 17-1996) OVERSEERS: Chairman , RADM David C. Brown; C li ve C uss ler, Richard du Mo ulin, Ala n D. Hurchiso n, Jakob Isbrandrsen, Gary Jobson, Sir Robin Kn ox-Johnsto n , Jo hn Lehm an, Brian A. McAlli srer, John Sro barr, W illi am G. W interer NMHS ADVISORS: Chairman, Melbourn e Sm irh ; D. K. Abbass, Geo rge Bass, Oswald L. Bren, RADM Joseph F. Callo USNR, (Rer.), Francis J. Duffy, John S. Ewald, T imorhy Foote, W illi am Gi lkerso n, Steven A. H yman, J . Russell Jinishian, Hajo Knutrel , G unnar Lundeberg, Joseph A. M aggio, Co nrad M ilster, Wi lli am G. Muller, Sruarr Parnes, Lori Dillard Rech , Nancy Hughes Ri chardson, Berr Rogers, Joyce Huber Smirh
SEA HISTORY EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD : Chairman, Ti morhy ). Runyan ; Nor m an J . Brou wer , Roberr Brow nin g, W illiam S. Dudley, D aniel Finamo re, Kevin Fosrer, Joh n O di n Jensen , Joseph F. Mean y, Lisa No rling, Ca rla Rahn Phillips, Walrer Rybka, Q uenrin Snediker, William H. W hi re N MHS STAFF: Executive D irector, Burchenal Green; Membership Director, Nancy Schnaars; Marketing Director, Sreve Lovass-Nagy; Accounting, Jill Romeo; Store Sales & Volunteer Coordinator, Jane Mauri ce
SEA HISTORY. Editor, D e irdr e O ' Regan; Advertising Director, Wen dy Paggiorra; Copy Editor, Shel ley Reid ; Editor-at-Large, Perer Sta nford
SEA HISTORY 134 SPRING 20 l l