2007 March 10 Dedication of Plaque at Cape Canaveral, Florida,
Site of the Last U.S. Naval Battle of the American Revolution

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The Official State of Florida Historical Site Plaque describes the naval battle.
It is the only official plaque in the State of Florida dedicated to a Revolutionary War Battle.
At left is John Moore Sr. of St. Lucie River Chapter (Florida society SAR),
a descendant of a crew member on the Alliance during the battle in 1783.
At right is Canaveral Port Authority Commissioner Joe Matheny.
The plaque was sponsored by the Cape Canaveral Port Authority,
the Florida Society of the Sons of the American Revolution,
and the Florida Department of State

Charles de Leusomme wears a naval uniform patterned after the 1783 French uniform.
The French navy played a major role in securing U.S. independence,
and the arrival of a French ship-of-the-line ended the naval battle at Cape Canaveral.

A Coast Guard color guard leads a parade of 200 people in color guards and marching units.

The Florida Society, Sons of the American Revolution organized this event.
Here its color guard is supplemented by color guards from seven other states.

The seventy color guardsmen represent hundreds of patriot ancestors, some of whom were at this battle.

The Daughters of the American Revolution unit features many ladies in colonial dress.

The Children of the American Revolution march to honor their patriot ancestors.

A local unit of Sea Cadets.

The guest speaker -- Captain James A. Watson, IV, of the U.S. Coast Guard --
receives a certificate of appreciation from Florida SAR President Lindsey Brock
Photo courtesy of Samuel Powell (North Carolina SAR).

Historian Ben DuBose and Florida SAR President Lindsey Brock
receive the key to the city of Cape Canaveral from Mayor Rocky Randels

Unveiling the cannon monument are representatives of the three groups who paid for it:
(from left to right) Steve Williams, President of Brevard Chapter (Florida Society SAR),
Kurt Ronstom, President of the Cape Canaveral Navy League,
and Maura McLeod, President of the Space Coast Regents Council, representing
the five chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Brevard County.

Thirty-five wreaths and many flags make a colorful setting for the marker and cannon.