National Anthem

Navy Lt. Mark Tedrow has no problem reconciling an air show with a commemoration of the War of 1812, an era that precedes flight by almost a century. The Blue Angels pilot said he looks forward to flying over the Inner Harbor, Middle River and Fort McHenry - birthplace of the national anthem - during a bicentennial celebration in June. "It will be outstanding to perform multiple maneuvers over Fort McHenry," he said. "It will show just how far we have come. " Tedrow and his co-pilot flew into Martin State Airport in Middle River on Thursday to give a small preview of what the Navy's renowned flight team will do for the bicentennial maritime and air festival that kicks off June 13. "Stake out your places on the waterfront so you don't miss a thing," said Lt. Cmdr.

The gang at Mission BBQ is inviting the public to have lunch with a group of World War II veterans visting from California. You'll find no sunshine patriots at Mission BBQ , these guys stick to their mission of honoring Americans in uniform every day. So, go, and get there at noon for the daily singing of the National Anthem, and stay for the good barbecue and a chat with the vets.

After nearly 200 years, Francis Scott Key has come back to Fort McHenry. A life-sized bronze statue of the Maryland lawyer who wrote "The Star Spangled Banner" stands in the $15 million Visitor and Education Center that opens Thursday. Other elements include a film told from Key's perspective and touch-screen panels providing details about his life and views. It's a fitting tribute to man whose words help draw about 650,000 visitors a year to the site of the 1814 Battle of Baltimore at the tip of Locust Point, said Vincent Vaise, chief of interpretation for Fort McHenry.

The Orioles announced their lineup of pre-game activities for Friday's Opening Day today, with a nod to the 20th anniversary of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 2:30 p.m., when ceremonies will begin. Gates open at noon. The first pitch The same pitcher and catcher who opened the stadium in 1992 will be on the mound and behind the plate for the anniversary pitch. Rick Sutcliffe, the tall right-hander who threw a five-hit shutout in the O's 2-0 win over the Cleveland Indians on April 6, 1992, will deliver the ceremonial first pitch to catcher Chris Hoiles.

Maryland will revel in its War of 1812 history with a two-year celebration of the pivotal battles, enduring sites and hometown heroes that played a role in the conflict that culminated in America's defeat of the world's strongest military force. Boston remembers annually the events that sparked the Revolutionary War and Virginia recently marked the 400 t h anniversary of its founding at Jamestown. Now the 200-year-old war with the British that ultimately ended on Maryland's shores will take on renewed significance as communities across the state focus on stories many have forgotten.

In response to Mary Lou Wickham's letter regarding Christina Aguilera's dreadful rendition of the National Anthem ( "Christina Aguilera: spreading the gospel of tacky ignorance," Feb. 8), I couldn't agree more! The Super Bowl was televised around the world, including to our troops in various locations who are always respectful of what it means to them and us. It was an embarrassment to hear her bastardize a song that should be sung as it was written! I noticed a number of the players being distracted, jumping up and down and not paying too much attention to someone who was more intent on glorifying herself.

Steven Tyler turned in a beautiful rendition of the national anthem before Sunday's AFC Championship between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens -- that's "beautiful," the word that lost all meaning last year when Tyler used it to describe pretty much every "American Idol" performance, good or bad. And Tyler's rendition of our anthem definitely qualifies as the latter. It may not have been the worst version ever (although I'll leave that up to you to decide), but we're talking about a legendary singer who is now paid to judge other people's singing abilities.

At 2:53:42 Friday afternoon, thousands of Orioles fans committed an act of patriotic blasphemy. Or engaged in a show of loyalty to the hometown team on Opening Day. To "O" or not to "O," that has been the question since, well, when? Sometime in the 1970s, fans and Mike Gesker, author of The Orioles Encyclopedia, seem to agree. But there the agreement ends. Like the debate about the worthiness of playing "Thank God, I'm a Country Boy" during the seventh-inning stretch, the "O" argument goes round and round, getting stuck every couple of years like a phonograph needle on an old record.

Just before the Ravens face the Houston Texans Sunday, they will hear a familiar voice - other than John Harbaugh's, that is. It will be the smooth, vibrant baritone of Mishael Miller, who has sung the national anthem for Ravens home games since the first one in 1996. "It has definitely been a blessing," Miller, 41, said. "I meet people weekly who recognize me. I never thought it would have been the anthem that people would know me for, or that I would become a staple in this area as a result of singing it. " With an octave-and-a-half range, "The Star-Spangled Banner" has defeated many an amateur and professional singer.

There ought to be a law. Pop/rock singers and other celebrities who think they can sing should not be allowed to sing the national anthem, especially at large nationally televised venues. The latest insult to our national anthem was at this year's Super Bowl. Time and time again, event promoters make the same mistake, and the performance becomes the subject of ridicule even before the final note is sung. There are three basic reasons why this is not a good idea. First, celebrities all too often forget the words.

A key document in the transition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" from popular song to national anthem is coming home to Fort McHenry. A draft of the song's arrangement, drawn up in the early 20th century by a committee that included composer and bandleader John Philip Sousa, has been donated to the national monument and historic shrine by the woman whose father obtained it from his music teacher. "The Star-Spangled Banner" was adopted as the national anthem by an act of Congress in 1931.

If resurrecting Jimi Hendrix proves impossible, I'm going with the Dixie Chicks, who taught America that criticizing the president and singing a truly beautiful version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" are not mutually exclusive acts. Luke Broadwater, reporter, The Baltimore Sun This singing business is overrated. I vote for an instrumental version - blues, say, or, better yet, surf-rock. Maybe Los Straitjackets? (With or without wrestling masks.) Anne Tallent, editor, b Here's my short-term memory kicking in: Kristin Chenoweth, who performed at the NFC Championship with the right balance of flair and traditionalism.

Steven Tyler turned in a beautiful rendition of the national anthem before Sunday's AFC Championship between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens -- that's "beautiful," the word that lost all meaning last year when Tyler used it to describe pretty much every "American Idol" performance, good or bad. And Tyler's rendition of our anthem definitely qualifies as the latter. It may not have been the worst version ever (although I'll leave that up to you to decide), but we're talking about a legendary singer who is now paid to judge other people's singing abilities.

WEATHER Today's forecast calls for rain with a high temperature around 45 degrees. It is expected to be rainy tonight with a low temperature around 42 degrees. TRAFFIC Here are today's morning traffic issues . FROM LAST NIGHT... Balto. Co. man charged with throwing Yorkie from balcony : A Baltimore County man is facing animal cruelty charges after police say he tossed a Yorkshire terrier about 50 feet from a 23-foot-high balcony Sunday evening.

Just before the Ravens face the Houston Texans Sunday, they will hear a familiar voice - other than John Harbaugh's, that is. It will be the smooth, vibrant baritone of Mishael Miller, who has sung the national anthem for Ravens home games since the first one in 1996. "It has definitely been a blessing," Miller, 41, said. "I meet people weekly who recognize me. I never thought it would have been the anthem that people would know me for, or that I would become a staple in this area as a result of singing it. " With an octave-and-a-half range, "The Star-Spangled Banner" has defeated many an amateur and professional singer.

Country music superstar Martina McBride will sing the national anthem before Sunday's Ravens-Jets nationally televised game and she will be joined by breast cancer survivors and those undergoing treatment. It's part of the Ravens' effort to help promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month. McBride's new single, “I'm Gonna Love You Through It,” offers hope and inspiration to those who have been affected by breast cancer, according to the team.  Ravens staff, family members and volunteers from the American Cancer Society will distribute 40,000 pink ribbons to fans as they enter the stadium Sunday.

Maryland license plates would lay claim to the state as "Home of Our National Anthem," if one state lawmaker has his way. State Sen. Larry Haines, a Republican who represents Carroll and Baltimore counties, introduced a bill that would put the slogan on all plates starting Oct. 1. Maryland last displayed a slogan on its standard-issue license plate in the mid-1980s, celebrating the 350th anniversary of the state's founding as a colony. Maryland native Francis Scott Key penned "The Star-Spangled Banner" almost 200 years ago after the British attacked Baltimore's Fort McHenry.

If resurrecting Jimi Hendrix proves impossible, I'm going with the Dixie Chicks, who taught America that criticizing the president and singing a truly beautiful version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" are not mutually exclusive acts. Luke Broadwater, reporter, The Baltimore Sun This singing business is overrated. I vote for an instrumental version - blues, say, or, better yet, surf-rock. Maybe Los Straitjackets? (With or without wrestling masks.) Anne Tallent, editor, b Here's my short-term memory kicking in: Kristin Chenoweth, who performed at the NFC Championship with the right balance of flair and traditionalism.

What an event Baltimore put on this past weekend! I'm living in Wisconsin now, and let me tell you Baltimore shined in more ways then one with the Grand Prix. I was in a local watering hole watching the race and was amazed at the comments the people were making about Baltimore, all positive. It made me proud to say I am from Baltimore, and everyone in the bar knew that. The views from the TV standpoint were awesome. I'm hoping next year I will be there and try to make this an annual event to attend.

During the Fourth of July weekend in Baltimore, there will be plenty of flags flying and beers sipped. This connection between the American flag and Baltimore beer goes back almost 200 years and played a small but interesting role in history. During the War of 1812, seamstress Mary Pickersgill was hard at work on the large American flag that would eventually fly over Fort McHenry and inspire Francis Scott Key to write the poem that would become The Star Spangled Banner. In the summer of 1814, Washington had just been burned, and the British were turning their attention to Baltimore, then the third largest port in America and home to privateers, a nemesis of the British Navy.