LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION, commending the Buffalo Soldiers Association of
West Point, New York, upon the occasion of hosting its An Evening To
Remember Black Tie Gala

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate
significant events which represent turning points in our unique history
and which are indelibly etched in the saga of our great Nation; and
WHEREAS, It is also the intent of this Legislative Body to honor those
African American members of our military who have served in times of
active conflict, as well as those who have served in times of peace; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Buffalo
Soldiers Association of West Point, New York, upon the occasion of host-
ing its An Evening To Remember Black Tie Gala in support of the erection
of a monument to memorialize the brave Buffalo Soldiers who served at
West Point, to be celebrated on Saturday, March 19, 2016, at the Crowne
Plaza Hotel in Suffern, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point is a nonprofit
organization which strives to acknowledge, honor, promote, and preserve
the history and contributions of Buffalo Soldiers and other African
American personnel who have served in the military of the United States
of America; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the era of the Indian Wars, approximately 20
percent of the United States Army Cavalry troopers were Black; these
soldiers fought in over 177 engagements, and their combat prowess, brav-
ery, tenaciousness, and appearance on the battlefield, inspired the
Native Americans to call them "Buffalo Soldiers"; and
WHEREAS, The Buffalo Soldiers of the United States Army were comprised
of former slaves, freemen and Black Civil War veterans; they were the
first African American units to serve during peacetime, and were respon-
sible for escorting settlers, cattle herds, and railroad crews on their
journeys across the Western United States; and
WHEREAS, During America's western expansion, Buffalo Soldiers were
tasked with the duties of enforcement and protection of settlers, which
led to various encounters with Native Americans tribes; their honorable
and heroic actions in diplomacy and battle earned them respect from the
Native Americans, as well as their unique moniker; and
WHEREAS, After the completion of the era of Western Expansion, Buffalo
Soldiers had been awarded at least 18 Medals of Honor; they also contin-
ued to boldly serve in numerous future military campaigns, including the
Spanish American War, Philippine Insurrection, Mexican Expedition, World
War I, World War II, and the Korean Police Action; and
WHEREAS, In 1962, Jackie Gaines and Alpheus Jones, retired members of
the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiment Buffalo Soldiers at West Point, began
to host annual memorial events to honor the legacy of the Buffalo
Soldiers and to celebrate the contributions of African American veterans
in the Hudson Valley Region of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, these annual events memorializing the 9th and
10th Cavalry Regiments Buffalo Soldiers of West Point grew in size and
became a popular celebration of history within the community; and
WHEREAS, In 1973, Colonel Floyd McAfee placed a "Memorial Rock" at the
intersection of Thayer Road and Mills Road as a marker for the Black
Horse Cavalry Detachments which served at West Point from 1907 to 1946;
this marker helped bring greater public recognition, and highlighted the
unique contributions of the 9th and 10th Buffalo Soldiers Regiments of
West Point; and
WHEREAS, Since the 1990s, the color guard from the United States Mili-
tary Academy Military Police Company together with buglers from the

school's band have provided support for the Buffalo Soldiers' Memorial
Service and Reunion, which concludes with a 21-gun salute; and
WHEREAS, Established in 2008, the Buffalo Soldiers Association of West
Point was founded by Retired Staff Sergeant Sanders H. Matthews, a
former West Point Buffalo Soldier, with a vision of expanding the
Buffalo Soldiers Memorial event, increasing educational programs, and
enhancing the awareness of the contributions and experiences of soldiers
and veterans in the Hudson Valley region; and
WHEREAS, In 2010, the last living commander of the 9th and 10th Caval-
ry Regiments of the Buffalo Soldiers at West Point, Thomas John Nazzaro,
established an educational scholarship at Norwich University which is
awarded annually to lineal descendants of the units' veterans; and
WHEREAS, In addition, members of the National Association of Buffalo
Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club, Northeast Frontier, began to
attend the Buffalo Soldiers wreath laying ceremony at the "Memorial
Rock" in 2011, and a local chapter at West Point was created two years
later; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, President Barack Obama visited Buffalo Soldiers
Lewis Coffield and Sanders H. Matthews Sr. in 2014, at Stewart Air
National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point contin-
ues to host annual commemorative events in order to educate the public,
honor and celebrate our Nation's military personnel, and create initi-
atives which preserve the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers; and
WHEREAS, Much has changed since the days of the Buffalo Soldiers,
including the integration of all military servicemen and women, but the
story of these remarkable units continue to be one of unsurpassed cour-
age and patriotism, and will forever remain a significant part of the
history of our nation; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those organiza-
tions which give positive definition to the distinguished history and
indomitable spirit of the communities of the State of New York, do so
profoundly strengthen our shared commitment to the exercise of freedom;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point, New York, upon
the occasion of hosting its An Evening To Remember Black Tie Gala; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point.
.SO DOC S R4216 RESO TEXT 2015