From the Sergeant's Desk
 May was a very busy month for the Texas Buffalo Soldiers. We
participated in Fort McKavett's West Texas Heritage Days, as
well Frontier Days at Daingerfield SP and Caprock Canyon SP. Schoolchildren from
three different corners of Texas traveled to hear the tales of
Texas history, including stories about Buffalo Soldiers, Native Americans, and
women of the frontier. May is also a time of reflection and remembrance for service
members who paid the ultimate price in defending Texas, and our country.
With schools wrapping up the
schoolyear, June has given the soldiers a chance to rest
and do some needed maintenance around headquarters. June is also a special time
because that is when we celebrate Emancipation Day or Juneteenth! We had programs celebrating and teaching the history of Juneteenth at Austin Community College's Eastview Campus and at Austin's George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center. Well over 1000 people attended both events.
Now that summer is here,
everyone is looking for opportunities to have fun outside. When the Buffalo
Soldiers were not chasing Indians, building forts, roads, and telegraph lines, they
looked for ways to relax and have fun, as well. One of the
main things they did for recreation was to play baseball. Baseball was actually
encouraged by the Army and most forts here in Texas, and
beyond, had their own teams. The military had integrated sports long
before Jackie Robinson joined the Major Leagues. Baseball games between various
Forts teams were also a big event for the neighboring towns. Townsfolk would
come from all around to come watch these games, and the Military played
a big part in how baseball became America's Past Time.
July and August is when the Buffalo
Soldiers make preparations to get ready for the upcoming year. Part of those
preparations will be to hold another training class for new
and current volunteers. This training is a must in order for you to become or
continue being active with Texas Buffalo Soldier Program. I urge you to
consider attending this training. At this training we will cover What is
Historic Interpretation? How to build Your Character, Our Blazing New Trails
programs and much more. For more details on the training please visit our
website. Add date, time, location, and how to sign up!!
We hope you all have a fun and safe
summer break going hiking, camping, fishing, or playing baseball. Stop for
a second and picture yourself back in 1870, living out on the frontier like the
Buffalo Soldiers. These men are doing those same activities 150 years ago that
you are doing today. Guess we are not all that different after all!
Happy Independence Day!
Happy Texas Buffalo Soldier Month!
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!
|
