On Su's birthday, we took the water taxi to Fort McHenry with Paul & Joanne of M/V Abacus and Bob & Lynn of M/V Legrace. Fort McHenry served as the cornerstone of the water defenses of Baltimore during the Battle of Baltimore on September 12-14, 1814 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem at became our National Anthem. Fort McHenry never again came under enemy fire, although it continued as an active military post for the next 100 years. During the Civil War, it was used a temporary prison for captured Confederate soldiers. From 1917 until 1923, a military hospital was located here to serve World War I veterans.

In 1925 Congress made Fort McHenry a national park; 14 years later it was redesignated a national monument and historic shrine, the only park in the country to have this double distinction.

Su's surprise birthday dinner with Bob & Lynn was at Mama's on the Half Shell followed by gelato from Vaccaro's. It was truly a wonderful day.