Seminole War Commemoration

The Seminole Wars Foundation, the West Point Society of North Florida, and the Florida National Guard Historian host the 18th annual commemoration of the end of the Second Seminole War in St. Augustine on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. The event features a parade and ceremony at the National Cemetery pyramids, both of which are open to the public, to honor those who perished in the conflict. 

The parade to the Dade Monument at the National Cemetery begins at 10:15 a.m., and the commemoration ceremony takes place at 10:45 a.m. Historical reenactors in period costumes participate in the parade, and the public is welcome to join them. This year's event features a reproduction caisson and cannon, period musicians, a musket volley, and participation by members of the Florida Masonic Lodges as they represent their attendance in the 1842 event.

Historical Context: In 1842, officers, soldiers, and musicians paraded through the streets of St. Augustine to commemorate the more than 1,400 fallen from the Seminole Wars.To honor them, three coquina pyramids were erected in the cemetery where some of the fallen were interred. These structures, collectively known as the Dade Monument after Major Francis L. Dade, serve as symbolic markers for the fallen.

Admission: Free and open to the public. 

When: Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. 

Where: St. Augustine National Cemetery, 104 Marine Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Parking: Florida National Guard lot behind St. Francis Barracks at 106 Marine Street