US Flag From Belleville Flies In Maryland To Honor Defenders Day

BELLEVILLE, NJ — For a day, Belleville became a part of the lore behind one of the United States’ most treasured pieces of musical heritage: “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

A U.S. flag from Belleville was one of six that flew above Fort McHenry in Maryland in commemoration of Defenders Day last week, Belleville Historical Society President Michael Perrone said.

The fort has been closed to the public during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to nps.gov, known as “Baltimore's oldest holiday,” Defenders' Day commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore and the writing of the nation's national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

During a ceremony on Sept. 14, U.S. National Park Service rangers hoisted Belleville’s flag alongside five others, noting that it was the “biggest personal flag that went up.”

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