Spotting in America

[zenrat]

War of 1812 is referenced in the Star Spangled Banner in the lines "...o'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?  And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there..." which refers to the use of ship launched Congreve rockets in the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British in 1814.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congreve_rocket#War_of_1812

[reddfoxx]

Yep, it's in the national anthem, but I would be surprised if a majority of Americans really know what that refers to.  Well, I could be wrong, but I'd be surprised if it's much more than half of us...

Narses2, I think I have pix of a few more of the historical marker plaques about the River Raisin battle if you're interested.  If you're ever anywhere near Detroit or Toledo, it's worth a trip to see some of the sites.  Perry's Monument in Lake Erie is also 1812-related, of course.  I guess we, in Ohio, grew up with it.  There's even an outdoor drama about Tecumseh, very well known, and other popular culture references to the war.

Of course I'm a history buff, and I made a point of visiting museums and historic sites during my trip to the UK and France a few years back.  I still remember being in awe as I stood in a the Arene de Lutece in Paris, on 2000 year old stones with apartment buildings all around.

[NARSES2]

It would be interesting to see some pics. of 1812 sites, but only when you have the time. Thanks 

[reddfoxx]

Here are the rest of my River Raisin pix.  I'm sure I have shots of Ft. Meigs and the Perry Monument in albums somewhere and will dig those out eventually. Definitely check those two sites out on the web.

[reddfoxx]

A bit farther off topic, here are some pix of a tank I have passed hundreds of times.  I'm sure there's an armor spotting thread somewhere, but for now, and knowing at least Captain Canada will be interested, here they are.

The chassis is from a Sherman.  I assumed it was a tank destroyer from the turret shape, but up close it looks pretty "aftermarket."  The barrel is a pipe, I think.  Very nice quality for a flag raising platform.  Looks like they don't use it anymore, though.

[Captain Canada]

That is cool ! Neat see the way they have turned it into a flagpole ! Or ruined it into a flag pole lol. Also that it was driven to location ! To bad she's not useable still.

[PR19_Kit]

That's one devil of a tall flagpole! 

[reddfoxx]

It is very very tall.  I forgot to mention the location: Circleville, Ohio, at the American Legion.  Can't miss it off route 23.

[reddfoxx]

I just found a reference online that says it is an M32B3 recovery vehicle.  And that says there is an F-105 in Circleville, which I will have to check out next time!

[Captain Canada]

Ah that would make sense of the fake turret !

[NARSES2]

Thanks for those River Raisin pics 

[KiwiZac]

I cannot decide whether the tank flagpole is genius or madness. It looks like the vehicle fell onto it from a great height!

[reddfoxx]

You're welcome, Narses2!

Yeah, the flagpole is weird.  It is very, very, very tall, and has been there for decades.  I've never seen anything else like it.  It is certainly an eyecatcher.

[Captain Canada]

There`s lots of places around Ontario with historic plaques and info on the war. There`s a huge oak tree up in Goderich that Natives used to climb and watch the US fleet. Pretty wild. Mount Pelion in Trenton, Ontario is another lookout.

[reddfoxx]

Cool, I will have to search out more 1812 locations.