From the Sergeant's Desk
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!
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