FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (Sept. 19, 2014) -- Fort Meade service members and other military personnel unfurled a 100-yard American flag Saturday afternoon during University of Maryland's Military Appreciation Day football halftime show, in College Park, Maryland.
The patriotic performance celebrated the 200th anniversary of Francis Scott Key's writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
"I enjoyed it," said Pfc. Merice Jackson, with the Maryland Freestate Challenge Academy, Class 23 in Gunpowder. "I was in the corner [holding the flag]."
Despite a steady rain, the stadium at College Park was packed.
Throughout the game, University of Maryland, or UMD, honored military personnel by bringing service members on the field for the singing of the national anthem, swearing in UMD ROTC members and showing Soldiers on the stadium's Jumbotron.
With West Virginia University leading the Terps 28-20 at halftime, members of both universities' marching bands and color guards took the field. The celebration began with a brief history lesson, explaining how Key was imprisoned on a British ship outside of Fort McHenry, in Baltimore. During the British bombardment, Key -- an attorney and poet -- was inspired by the American victory on Sept. 14, 1814, to write what would become "The Star-Spangled Banner."
"The halftime show was very good," said Nick Damiano, the self-proclaimed proud father of a UMD Terrapin, accompanied by his daughter and wife, Manny. "I liked it a lot. [It was] educational and interesting."
West Virginia University band members in white and blue uniforms and UMD band members in red uniforms created a formation to spell out "National Anthem." As the announcer described the events of 1814 in more detail, band members played patriotic songs such as "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "Let Freedom Ring."
"It was very touching, very emotional," said UMD fan Cherie Scarvhe, whose father-in-law played for UMD, in the 1950s.
Both bands soon altered their formation to create the boat on which Key was imprisoned, and an outline of Fort McHenry.
After playing the version of the national anthem that was performed on the Public Broadcasting Service, band members cleared the field.
Fort Meade service members rushed onto the field to unfurl the American flag that encompassed the entire football field. Service members shook the flag so that it appeared to be waving in the wind.
"It was actually pretty exciting," said Pfc. Jesse Cabarratto of the Maryland Freestate Challenge Academy, Class 23. "It was the first time we ever did this in this class. It was nice."
After thunderous applause from spectators, the flag was removed from the field so that UMD could have its chance at a comeback.
Tying it up 37-37 with 11:14 left in the fourth quarter, UMD was not able to hold out. With four seconds left in the quarter, West Virginia University's Josh Lamberg scored the winning field goal, ending the game 40-37.
Although UMD lost, fans walked away pleased with the game, particularly with the halftime celebration.
"This was my first football game and my first halftime show," Manny Damiano said. "I thought it was terrific. It was wonderful."
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