The USS Oak Hill color guard presents the colors during

The USS Oak Hill color guard presents the colors during a reception aboard the ship Sept. 14, 2014. During the reception, Marines, sailors and coalition partners gathered to celebrate “Star-Spangled Spectacular” and honor the history of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” “It’s a labor of love to celebrate the war of 1812 and the birth of the Star-Spangled Banner,” said Rear Adm. Victorino G. Mercado, commander of Carrier Strike Group 8. He went on to say Star-Spangled Spectacular could not have been a success without the help of all the U.S. branches of the military and our coalition partners. The more than 200 Marines and sailors aboard the ship arrived in Baltimore Sept. 10 to participate in the “Star-Spangled Spectacular” honoring the 200-year anniversary of the “Star-Spangled Banner.”