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Fort breaks ground on Buffalo Soldier Legacy Plaza
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Photo courtesy/Fort Huachuca Published:FORT HUACHUCA - Fort Huachuca's celebration of the Year of the Buffalo Soldier continues with a groundbreaking ceremony for the Buffalo Soldier Legacy Plaza honoring this important chapter of the Army's history Friday, July 27 at 9:30 a.m.
The Buffalo Soldier Legacy Plaza is anchored by the Buffalo Soldier statue, who serves as the guardian of the gateway to the historic area which was home of the Buffalo Soldiers here. In addition to providing a plaza and benches for visitors, plans include a kiosk with photos and information about the history of the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Huachuca. Eventually, a walkway featuring markers with historic facts will connect the plaza to the fort's museum. The project should be completed by the end of the year. James Kimo Williams, artist in residence at Columbia College in Chicago who composed "Buffalo Soldiers" for the West Point Alumni Association in 1999, is a special guest at the groundbreaking. Williams joined the U.S. Army as a combat engineer in 1970. He later rejoined, serving as a captain in administration and as a warrant officer/bandmaster for the U.S. Army Reserve's 85th Division Band. Elements of his composition, "Buffalo Soldiers," with narration will be presented during the ceremony. Dr. Clarence Wilson, who had the vision for Fort Huachuca to erect the Buffalo Soldier statue during his time as a Soldier here in 1977, is a guest speaker. Also in attendance will be members of the 9th and 10th Horse Cavalry Association, the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Clubs, and the Southwest Association of Buffalo Soldiers. The U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca remembers and honors the legacy of Buffalo Soldiers by designating 2007 as the Year of the Buffalo Soldier. Special events during the year, including monthly historic tours on the third Saturday of each month, serve to raise awareness of their accomplishments and sacrifices. The groundbreaking ceremony takes place just one day before July 28 anniversary of legislation enacting the creation of six regiments of the original black units in 1866. The state of Arizona designated 2007 at the Year of the Buffalo Soldiers with House Concurrent Resolution 2047 signed Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007. Fort Huachuca was founded in 1877 and the original cantonment area is a National Historic Landmark. The fort served as the home station for members of the nation's all-black Army units for nearly 53 continuous years. Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments, the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments, and the 92nd and 93rd Infantry Divisions served here from 1892 to 1945. While at Fort Huachuca, they joined famed General "Black Jack" Pershing in the Punitive Expedition into Mexico, protected the international border during the Mexican Revolution and World War I, and trained soldiers who served in Europe during World War II. By their service and accomplishments, the Army's all-black units influenced the decision to desegregate the United States' armed forces in 1948 and paved the way for the rise of great black officers, such as Lt. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis and Gen. Colin L. Powell. You can listen to the U.S. Military Academy Band performing "Buffalo Soldiers" at http://www.usma.edu/BAND/recordings/vol_2.htm.
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