Md. National Guardsmen Reenact The Path Of Fallen Soldiers

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—It is a big week in Baltimore as the tall ships arrive downtown for the Star-Spangled Spectacular. The nine-day free festival honors the 200th anniversary of our national anthem.

Marcus Washington took a trip back in history.

In life we all want to fill the shoes of those before us. On Thursday, hundreds of Maryland soldiers followed the steps of the past--one that is closely connected to the 175th Infantry Regiment.

"Two hundred years ago, this was where the last stand was to be made. This is where 15,000 Americans were dug in," said Vince Vaise, historian.

Some 500 uniformed members of the Maryland National Guard traced back to the Battle of Baltimore.

"Baltimore was to be our final stand. Baltimore would be our beginning or our end," said Gov. Martin O'Malley.

To pay homage to the soldiers who saved Baltimore some 200 years ago, they walked along the six mile National Historic Trail from Patterson Park to North Point—the same path some American soldiers before them lost their lives during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814.

"They walked that walk, but they didn't come back," Vaise said.

The rolling hills at Patterson Park aren't just for landscaping. They're actually for trenches used by the militia to help win the battle 200 years ago.

Sometimes filling the shoes of those before you is just remembering the path they provided for you.

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