Buffalo Soldier Monument, The

Army, Feb 1997 by Williams, Anthony R

The day of recognition was July 25, 1992, when the monument was dedicated. The dedication ceremony coincided with the 126th annual reunion of the 9th and 10th Horse Cavalry Association. Seeing these soldiers and their families receive long-awaited recognition was sweet reward for those involved in the project.

The artist, Dixon, described the monument's symbolism: "The irregular shaped pool behind the dark bronze soldier represents the hard and turbulent times that the soldiers faced, while the reflecting pool in front of the soldier symbolizes the hope for a better future. The waterfall symbolizes the breaking up of old traditions. The mounted soldier has a weary yet determined face, ready to face the future."

The collective efforts of the artist, committee members, board members, students and private citizens also symbolize a future where all work together for a common cause. As Gen. Powell said in his dedication speech, "Caring Americans made a modest dream come true."

The monument is also a way for the U.S. Army to communicate to all its soldiers that hard work and dedication to duty will not go unnoticed, regardless of race, religion or gender. It is significant for recognizing the Buffalo Soldiers as well as identifying the injustice of allowing their contributions to go unrecognized for so long.

Many of the remaining Buffalo Soldiers live their lives with the same pride they had as active-duty soldiers. Buffalo Soldiers still wear their slouch campaign hats with dignity. They, as well as others, are fulfilling the Buffalo Soldier Committee's ongoing project objectives. For example, by publicly speaking and participating in parades, they are increasing awareness of their role in American history. In addition to the work Buffalo Soldiers engage in, the committee spearheaded efforts to have Congress designate a day recognizing the Buffalo Soldier, to have a postal stamp issued commemorating them and to have a reference library opened at Fort Leavenworth devoted to works on blacks in the military.

Building the monument was a successful step in the journey to equal recognition of all soldiers' contributions. As Gen. Powell stated in his dedication speech, "He [the Buffalo Soldier] was every bit the soldier that his white brother was. He showed that the theory of inequality must be wrong."

Since the creation and dedication of the monument, more have learned of the contributions these men of valor made. The hard work of these soldiers deserves a place in our national history so that the memory of their service will be kept alive for generations to come.

Those who envisioned and created the Buffalo Soldier monument sought to erase inequality. It is for all of us to encourage historians, authors and teachers to include the exploits of the Buffalo Soldiers in books and lesson plans to ensure accurate teaching of the nation's past. Or

MAJ. ANTHONY R. WILLIAMS, a former assistant division signal officer for the 2nd Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas, and small group leader for the signal officer advanced course at the U.S. Army Signal Center, Fort Gordon, Ga., is currently attending the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.