Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your tax-deductible donation now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
7 original Buffalo Soldiers honored in LA
Several members of the Los Angeles chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers listen as program speakers honor them.
(
Corey Bridwell/KPCC
)
The distinct blue hat and yellow handkerchief of the Buffalo Soldiers.
(
Corey Bridwell
)
Hamilton Cloud, Special Events Director for Maxine Waters' office, presents Trooper Andrew Arron with an award recognizing his service in the Buffalo Soldiers.
(
Corey Bridwell/KPCC
)
A sign for the LA chapter of the Original Buffalo Soldiers.
(
Corey Bridwell/KPCC
)
Trooper L. Williams demonstrates a Civil War era rifle during his telling of a brief history of the Buffalo Soldiers.
(
Corey Bridwell/KPCC
)
A group children from the recreation center listen to Trooper L. Williams tell a brief history of the Buffalo Soldiers.
(
Corey Bridwell/KPCC
)
Colonel Franklin Henderson (retired) was a past national president of the Buffalo Soldiers and a key speaker at today's event.
(
Corey Bridwell/KPCC
)
Listen
1:01
7 original Buffalo Soldiers honored in LA
Colonel Franklin Henderson on the honoring of seven original Buffalo Soldiers by the Autry National Center.
About 50 people gathered in a small multipurpose room at Rodgers Park Friday to honor seven original Buffalo Soldiers.
The event, called "Preserving our Legacy," was sponsored by the 9th and 10th Buffalo Soldiers Los Angeles Association.
"We're here to honor and recognize some of the original Buffalo Soldiers who are still with us," said retired Major General Peter Gravett. "They served in Buffalo's old units and they are quite elderly."
"They're probably in their late 80s, early 90s... so this is an opportunity for us to say one more time, thank you for your service," Gravett said.
The Buffalo Soldiers' first incarnation was the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, formed to assist the Union Army in fighting the Civil War. As the decades wore on, "Buffalo Soldiers" came refer to any African-American unit up until World War II.
"The regiments did not go overseas," explained Colonel Franklin Henderson, referring to the Buffalo Soldiers' missions in World Wars I and II. "Instead they were given the mission of protecting the border [between Mexico and the US] because at that time we felt that the Germans would send saboteurs into the United States by way of Mexico."
Erik Greenberg, director of Education for the Autry National Center, summed up an important aspect of the soldiers' service.
Sponsored message
"In an era when upward mobility for African Americans was incredibly difficult, the military and the Buffalo Soldiers offered an entrance into the middle class in a way that was virtually impossible in parts of America at the time."
"Growing up I knew that they didn't teach us too much about them in history," said Army Specialist Debora Martinez, who came to watch the event. Martinez has just returned from Camp Taji in Iraq.
"I actually learned about them four years ago coming into the army [...] Its gratifying and its rewarding just to meet them today. This is a part of history and I'm excited about that, just being here with them."
Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that the Autry Center had inducted these soldiers into their Hall of Fame. While the center did recently expand their exhibit on the Buffalo Soldiers, there is no hall of fame at the Autry.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
