Each year a special tradition continues in cemeteries across our 50 states when thousands of volunteers walk millions of steps placing small American flags next to the headstones of military graves. At its heart, Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, honors the men and women who have died in U.S. military service.
It may be just 1.4 acres, but it is hallowed ground. Countless visitors who travel to St. Augustine, Florida probably don’t even know that this small acre of land exists. Just a few blocks from the historic city center, the St. Augustine National Cemetery is a tranquil place in an otherwise hectic tourist-driven city.
Situated on the grounds that was once a Franciscan monastery, now an active military installation known as St. Francis Barracks and the state headquarters of the Florida National Guard, this is Florida’s oldest national military cemetery. This sacred plot of land has had 2,788 interments since 1828, when the first burials took place. Stationed at St. Francis Barracks, these soldiers were casualties of the Florida Indian Wars, also known as The Seminole Wars (1816-1858).
It became a United States National Cemetery in 1881 after the American Civil War, and in 2016 it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Visiting a national cemetery may not be on the top of your to do list when exploring a travel destination, but if you find yourself in St. Augustine it’s well worth a visit.
Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to wander its grounds. It’s in those hours when the sun casts its golden glow down on the massive live oak trees and marble headstones and their shadows stretch across the grass and appear to connect one headstone with another. Although nowhere the size of Arlington National Cemetery, as you approach this cemetery you can’t help but be in awe and humbled looking out over the sea of simple white marble headstones standing at attention, in line and in-formation.
A walkway cuts the cemetery in half, but you need to get off the pavement and meander among the headstones to get a true sense of the historical importance of this site. Represented are the markers of officers and soldiers from the Florida Indian Wars, Spanish American War, Korean War, World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War.
If you search you’ll also discover the graves of five British Commonwealth servicemen of World War II.
Some headstones are so weathered, and the marble so worn by nature’s elements and age that it’s hard to make out names and years. But as you walk around what’s truly poignant is discovering marked headstones simply engraved “Unknown U.S. Soldier”.
Walk down to the southern end of the cemetery and you’ll see three coquina-block pyramids, erected in 1842 to mark the end of the Second Seminole War, these are known as The Dade Monument (after Major Francis L. Dade). Beneath these pyramids are buried the remains of more than 100 men who died or were killed in battle during that war. Erected in 1844, an 18-foot-tall marble obelisk stands near these three pyramids, and it's interesting to note that at the time the cost to build these memorials was met by a donation of one day’s pay from each soldier stationed at the barracks.
You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate that St. Augustine National Cemetery is a special place within this ancient city. It is a story of history told by the names and dates marked on each headstone. This year on Memorial Day before you gather with family and friends to enjoy BBQ and celebrate the start of summer, take some time to remember the true meaning of this American holiday and pay respect to the generations of men and woman who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Travel Tips
· St. Augustine National Cemetery is located at 104 Marine Street. For more information visit: https://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/staugustine.asp
· Visitation hours are daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm. No cemetery staff is present onsite.
· All graves are decorated on the workday immediately preceding Memorial Day with small United States flags and are removed on the first workday after Memorial Day.
· The Gettysburg Address was first presented at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery on November 19, 1863. A plaque containing the speech is on permanent outdoor display at the National Cemetery in St. Augustine, Florida also. Take a moment to read it.
· For everything St. Augustine, check out: https://www.visitstaugustine.com/