Buffalo Soldier Sentinel - April 2018

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buffalo soldiers sentinel

From the Sergeant's Desk

Fort Clark
US and Company guidons surround the Empty Saddle Monument at Fort Clark in Brackettville, Texas


Bluebonnets are blooming! Spring has finally arrived in Texas!


The Texas Buffalo Soldiers started March by attending Fort Clark's Living History Days. This is the first historic fort of the season and their event was a great success with over 700 kids attending on Friday for the School Day Program. Joining us at Fort Clark were several Living Historians from around the State of Texas. Some of them included The Texas Camel Corps, the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas and Fort McKavett telling their stories. If you have never been to Fort Clark it is east of Del Rio in Brackettville and was active from 1849 to 1946. This was a major stop along the highway to California and was a major crossroads because of the nearby springs. Las Moras Springs has been an oasis attracting people from all over since Prehistoric Times. Fort Clark itself was home to the many diverse groups of soldiers over the years. Those stationed at Fort Clark included the Texas Rangers, the Buffalo Soldiers, and many different groups of American Indian Scouts. Fort Clark also hosted many notables like General Patton, the boxer Joe Lewis, and baseball legend, Jackie Robinson. This rich history is preserved there for all to see at Fort Clark Springs and I encourage you all to visit.


The Photo of the Month for April showcases volunteer, DC Overby, interpreting the life of a Private in the USCT. Pvt. Overby helped us at Lake Colorado City SP and taught about the Civil War and the role of the United States Colored Troops. DC hails from Upstate New York and Washington DC. He is a Sergeant in the US Army Reserves, as well as a fellow Living Historian. DC was here in Austin for a training and took the opportunity to reach out to us. DC has followed the Texas State Park's Buffalo Soldier program through our social media for several years. Not only did he meet us and visit our office, he decided to change his vacation plans and join us out on the trail. He had no problem jumping right in and helping us out. We were very privileged to have him in our camp and helping support programs at Lake Colorado City State Park. Thank you for all your help DC!

 

The Texas Buffalo Soldiers will be out in force this spring. We will visit various Historic Forts and State Parks throughout North and West Texas. So Get Outside and hit the trail with us! We need your help to tell these stories! Watch our Facebook page for upcoming volunteer and training opportunities and how you can join us.


Ready Forward! We Can.. We Will!

For more information please visit our website. 

Texas Parks & Wildlife - Buffalo Soldiers

We look forward to seeing you further down the trail!


Events

April 13th - McCullough County Early Days

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April 14th - Fort Richardson Days

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April 20th & 21st - The 24th Annual Civil War Living History Program and Reenactment at  Confederate Reunion Grounds SHS

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April 28th - Mission Tejas Folk Festival

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May 4th & 5th - West Texas Heritage Days at Fort Mckavett, TX

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May 11th & 12th - On The Trail at Daingerfield State Park

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May 19th - Frontier Days at Caprock Canyon State Park

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May 19th - On The Trail at Lake Tawakoni State Park

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See All Events

Fun Fact

Did you know... 

In 1993- The National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club (NABSTMC) was formed in Chicago, Illinois. Club founder Ken “Dream Maker” Thomas, a former Chicago Police Officer and an avid motorcycle enthusiast, wanted to create a unique group that would promote a positive image of Africa Americans and honor the legacy of their heroic namesakes. Since then, the NABSTMC has grown from one chapter to over 100 nationwide and overseas. The NABSTMC has played an important role in educating the public in African American history and highlighting the contributions of groups such as the Buffalo Soldiers.


BSMC

Volunteer

Texas Buffalo Soldiers Program 

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Texas Outdoor Family

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Texas State Park Ambassadors

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Buffalo Soldier Museum

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Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle Club of Killeen, TX

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Bexar County Buffalo Soldiers

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Victory Warriors of El Paso, TX

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North Texas Buffalo Soldiers

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Camp Mabry Buffalo Soldiers


Have you participated in a Buffalo Soldiers Program?

Tell us about your experience!


Photo of the Month

Pvt. Overby, USCT.
Pvt. Overby teaches about the USCT Regiments at Lake Colorado City SP.

Blast from the Past

Crew at Copper Breaks
Luis, Clifton, Lee, Eric at Caprock Canyon

Share Your Photos

Email your Texas State Park photos to Ricky Dolifka and get a chance to have your image showcased here in the Buffalo Soldiers Sentinel

 


Keep Connected

Texas Buffalo Soldiers bring history to life with stories, costumes and tools.

At one of our programs, you can learn how to track an animal, fish with a cane pole or cook over a campfire. We play traditional games, use the sun to find directions, learn Native American skills, and even saddle a horse.

We make connections between history and the outdoors. Our goal is to not only share history, but to share our Story.

Follow us on FacebookTwitter or Instagram and help share our story!


Historic Photo of the Month

9 I Baseball team
9th Cavalry Troop L Baseball Team. Photo courtesy The Palace of the Governors Photo Archives, New Mexico

Please share the story of the Buffalo Soldiers with your friends!

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