Generations of service members and their families gathered for the renaming of the St. Francis Barracks Parade Field at St. Augustine, Fla., on Sept. 13, 2024. The field was renamed in honor of retired Maj. Gen. Emmett R. Titshaw, Jr., former Adjutant General of Florida. This field represents the legacy the Guard has built through its decades of dedicated service to both the nation and the state.
“All I can really feel is gratitude,” said Titshaw. “Gratitude that this place that means so much to me and to my family, where I've lived and served is just remarkable for me to even consider being honored in this way.”
The newly named Emmett R. Titshaw Field at Patriot Point contains soil from 19 locations across the world that represent 10 conflicts in which FLNG Soldiers and Airmen served. The field’s preservation is a testament to tradition and honorable service, consecrated with the soil in 2013 under Maj. Gen. Titshaw’s direction.
“I really hope that it's not lost on the Soldiers and Airmen of this organization that they really have a unique heritage here that goes back hundreds of years and that they are adding to the contributions that have been made by others,” said Titshaw. “History is a set of facts but heritage is something else. It's humanizing history if you will, the sacrifice that has gone into their service, their families' sacrifice."
The ceremony included the unveiling of the official placard by both Titshaw and current Adjutant General Maj. Gen. John D. Haas, reflecting FLNG's legacy as they pay tribute to a leader known for his ability to inspire others and his allegiance to both state and nation.
“As we officially rename this field today, we are reminded that Major General Titshaw’s influence extends far beyond the battlefield,” said Haas. “His legacy is woven into our organization’s heritage, inspiring new leaders to continue his standards of excellence, honor, and duty.”
Emmett R. Titshaw Field stands as a place where discipline meets tradition—a testament not only to Titshaw but also to those who paved the way for FLNG's future.
“It's about the heritage we have and how we connect it to our horizon,” said Titshaw.