Save Our Salute
Save Our Salute
The Issue
The decades-long tradition of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra’s Salute to Independence concert at Antietam National Battlefield is at risk.
Antietam Battlefield National Park’s leadership has informed the Maryland Symphony Orchestra (MSO) it will not allow the event to return to its home on the battlefield after the pandemic and a large-scale construction project broke continuity with the concert in 2020. This development is a serious blow to Washington County’s tourism economy and will end a long tradition deeply rooted in local families.
The annual “Salute to Independence,” which has drawn crowds of over 15,000 people and taken place since 1986, is a cornerstone of Washington County. It generates hundreds of thousands of tourism dollars and supports local jobs, in addition to honoring and celebrating the armed services of our nation.
The park made the decision to end this event without ANY public outreach for input and without any consultation with local elected officials or community stakeholders. Reasons cited were safety concerns over the fireworks, a severe weather incident, or other public safety and security concerns associated with large events. Their lack of transparency and total disregard for stakeholder involvement disrespects decades of support provided by Washington County for the Battlefield and contradicts the definition of public service and the mission of the National Parks Service.
We are asking for the community’s help to bring back this treasured event. If you support this worthy cause, please sign this petition to compel the National Park Service to re-establish the Salute to Independence concert at its traditional venue at Antietam National Battlefield in 2023. The entire community rallies behind the Salute to Independence concert every year and counts it among its honored traditions. We need the National Park Service to be compelled to do the same.
Thank you for your support!
Click here to read the full story.
Watch videos below to see what we are losing!
2,635
The Issue
The decades-long tradition of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra’s Salute to Independence concert at Antietam National Battlefield is at risk.
Antietam Battlefield National Park’s leadership has informed the Maryland Symphony Orchestra (MSO) it will not allow the event to return to its home on the battlefield after the pandemic and a large-scale construction project broke continuity with the concert in 2020. This development is a serious blow to Washington County’s tourism economy and will end a long tradition deeply rooted in local families.
The annual “Salute to Independence,” which has drawn crowds of over 15,000 people and taken place since 1986, is a cornerstone of Washington County. It generates hundreds of thousands of tourism dollars and supports local jobs, in addition to honoring and celebrating the armed services of our nation.
The park made the decision to end this event without ANY public outreach for input and without any consultation with local elected officials or community stakeholders. Reasons cited were safety concerns over the fireworks, a severe weather incident, or other public safety and security concerns associated with large events. Their lack of transparency and total disregard for stakeholder involvement disrespects decades of support provided by Washington County for the Battlefield and contradicts the definition of public service and the mission of the National Parks Service.
We are asking for the community’s help to bring back this treasured event. If you support this worthy cause, please sign this petition to compel the National Park Service to re-establish the Salute to Independence concert at its traditional venue at Antietam National Battlefield in 2023. The entire community rallies behind the Salute to Independence concert every year and counts it among its honored traditions. We need the National Park Service to be compelled to do the same.
Thank you for your support!
Click here to read the full story.
Watch videos below to see what we are losing!
2,635
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on January 18, 2023