SW0145 Honoring SemWar Combatants Spurs History Student to Don Soldier Gear

We continue our discussion with “new recruits” to the Seminole War living history hobby. Marcus Acosta is a buddy of Ethan Parks, last week’s guest. The two portray Army privates of the 1830s and have “fought” and “died” together on the reenactment stage – but all for a good cause. That cause is honoring the people who fought -- and some who perished -- on these Florida battle sites. Both do this through service representing young soldiers, thereby raising awareness of the humanity of the participants back in those days. They present a neglected history to the public. In this episode, Marcus gives us his impression on the importance of what he does.

Marcus Acosta with the more formal soldier uniform of the 1830s era. He stands guard at the recreated log breastwork at the Dade Battlefield during the annual park commemoration of the Dec. 28, 1835 battle along the Fort King Road. Below, Ethan Parks, in US Navy JROTC service uniform, joins his friend Marcus Acosta at the commemoration.

Jesse "Archie" Marshall drills the raw recruits. Marcus Acosta is in uniform in the rear; Ethan Parks is in uniform in the front rank.  Below, they both "died" together at a living history program at the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City, Florida. But, as Marcus notes, he died knowing Scott's Infantry Manual and so all is good. Next photo, Archie Marshall "died" too. Okeechobee Battle Event photo courtesy of Heather Burney.

Host Patrick Swan is a board member with the Seminole Wars Foundation. This podcast is recorded at the homestead of the Seminole Wars Foundation in Bushnell, Fla.

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