WEST POINT – For the last 62 years, members of the Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point Inc. (BSAWP) and the West Point community have gathered annual for the purpose of honoring the incredible legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers. This year was no exception.
They gathered this past Sunday at the monument on Buffalo Soldiers Field that honors and represents the Soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments who embodied the Army’s values during their service to the Corps of Cadets between 1907-47.
Dr. Aundrea Matthews, President of the BSAWP said, “Today is a special day because its two years after we completed and dedicated the monument and I went out and recruited a vast array of armed forces. So, everybody is represented here today, including the indigenous people who have come in full ceremonial garb. They came to salute and pay to the buffalo soldiers which makes this a phenomenal event for the community and for the Army.”
Retired Maj. Gen. Barrye Price, former deputy commander of U.S. Army Cadet Command was one of the guest speakers at this year’s event. “I had to recruit him,” said a smiling Matthews as she recounted his long list of accomplishments. “He’s a grad of the University of Houston, he’s a grad of Texas A&M, and he’s the first African-American to receive a Ph.D. from the History Department of Texas A&M. He taught here at West Point, he went on to have a phenomenal career… he stands on the legacy of Charles Young and the other officers that came out of West Point. So, to have him here is just amazing.”
Following the traditional wreath laying ceremony, complete with 21-gun salute, Matthews, a Buffalo Soldier descendent, announced that during the luncheon the BSAWP was going to pay tribute to Major General Fred Gordon.
Gordon was the only Black to graduate out of the Class of 1962 and turned around to become the first African-American commandant. He also worked with Matthews to put the Buffalo Soldiers monument up.
“We have created an endowment in his (Gordon) honor that will recognize a cadet at graduation forever in his name,” said a proud Matthews, concluding “It’s an honor to endow an award in the name of Gordon.” To help offset the cost, you can go to buffalosoldiersofwestpoint.org to make a monetary contribution and to learn more about the history of the 9th and 10th Calvary Regiments.
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