SEMINOLE WAR COMMEMORATION CEREMONY- August 24th 2013

SEMINOLE WAR COMMEMORATION CEREMONY
Saturday, 24 August, 2013
St. Francis Barracks, 104 Marine Street, St. Augustine
Event starts at 9:00 and is FREE to the public

 

This is the sixth year that the West Point Society of North Florida has organized the ceremony, remembering the re-internment of those who perished on battlefields during the Second Seminole Indian War. In 1842, a large parade bore their remains though St. Augustine to what is now the National Cemetery. The parade and following ceremony is vividly described in the extract below from the local newspaper. The sacrifice of those buried under the pyramids was but a precursor to that made by following generations of citizens who took up arms in defense of city, state and nation, and who continue to do so today. The 450th Military Commemoration Committee and the Seminole Wars Foundation have joined the West Point Society to produce this year’s event.
Activities will begin at 9:00 with a living history assemblage of period re-enactors on the parade ground in front of the barracks. Returning this year will be a crew from Peace River Artillery, demonstrating and firing an exact replica of the “6 pounder” artillery piece that accompanied the column, lead by Major Francis L. Dade, that was ambushed and destroyed at the beginning of the war in December, 1835. Jerry and Linda Morris will also be back with their display of how soldiers lived in the field during the war, and Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Harry Metz will lead an honor guard of other re-enactors.

At 11:00, a bugler will sound assembly and spectators will gather to hear brief remarks putting the event in historical context. The procession will then march to the pyramids where the Society will lay its wreath and lead the cadet prayer. A cannon salute and the haunting bugle notes of taps will close the morning.

Also of note, during the day, Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Gregory A. Moore, National Guard Command historian will be available to discuss his new book; Sacred Ground: The National Cemetery at St. Augustine.

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