Buffalo Soldier Sentinel - November / December 2018

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department sent this bulletin at 11/02/2018 05:10 PM CDT

From the Sergeant's Desk

Pvt. Allen Mack at sunrise over Palo Duro Canyon

After all the loading and unloading, miles of driving and countless programs, most people to this day still don't understand what we do or why. When it's all said and done we get to see some of the most beautiful places in Texas and we also to meet some of the nicest people you could ever meet. We are always looking for like-minded people who enjoy talking about history and the great outdoors. So if you think this is something you might like to do please contact us!

November and December is shaping up to be a very busy for the Buffalo Soldiers Program. November kicks off with a program Lytle City Library. Then we will be at Huntsville State Park with our Blazing New Trails encampment on the 17th. The first full weekend of December the troops will gather at Fort Concho National Historic Site to celebrate an old style Christmas. Take a step back in time and see how the soldiers and pioneers celebrated Christmas back in the 1870's.

The Buffalo Soldier will make the trek down to Resaca de la Palma State Park down in Brownsville, Texas. There they will do a commemorative bicycle ride. This ride will be to honor the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps also known as the Iron Riders. The ride will end in the park at the Buffalo Soldiers Encampment where many of their Blazing New Trails programs and Living Historians will be setup for everyone to enjoy. To register for the ride or to be a volunteer helping with the event please contact Luis Padilla

One of the many "Blessings of Liberty" afforded to Citizens of the United States of American is the right to Vote. This is a right that many have fought and died for; including the Buffalo Soldiers. We urge you all, regardless of your party affiliation or political beliefs, to get out there and vote this November.

We also celebrate Veterans Day this November. We salute and give thanks to all who have served in our military for our country. It is upon their shoulders and their sacrifices which our democracy rests. Lest we forget; We are all Americans!

The Texas Buffalo Soldiers hope you all have a very Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

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

Nov 3rd - Lytle Public Library Living History Fair in Lytle, TX

Nov 17th - On the Trail with the Buffalo Soldiers at Huntsville State Park

Dec. 7th - 9th - Christmas at Old Fort Concho NHS in San Angelo, Texas

Dec 22nd - Iron Riders Expedition and Buffalo Soldier Encampment at Resaca de la Palma State Park

Jan. 13th - Buffalo Soldiers Day at I.T.C.

Feb 23rd - Fort Sherman Days at Lake Bob Sandlin State Park

See All Events

Fun Fact

Did you know... In 1875 the Army established Fort Elliott in the Texas Panhandle as an advanced supply post in the campaign to ride the Great Plains of American Indians in particular the Comanche and Kiowa who had a reservation at Fort Sill Oklahoma. It was garrisoned by the 6th Cavalry and the 10th Cavalry "Buffalo Soldiers." The first African American graduate of West Point, Lt. Henry Flipper served as the Adjutant of Fort Elliot while the 10th Cavalry was stationed there. Lt. Flipper lead the Army's effort to build telegraph lines across the Canadian River while he served at Fort Elliott. The opening of Fort Elliott was instrumental in bringing the cattle drives into the Texas Panhandle. Fort Elliott was abandoned in 1890 but its flagpole still stands today in the nearby town of Mobeetie, Texas.

Volunteer

Texas Buffalo Soldiers Program

Texas Outdoor Family

Texas State Park Ambassadors

Buffalo Soldier Museum

Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle Club of Killeen, TX

Bexar County Buffalo Soldiers

Victory Warriors of El Paso, TX

North Texas Buffalo Soldiers

Camp Mabry Buffalo Soldiers

Have you participated in a Buffalo Soldiers Program?

Tell us about your experience!

Photo of the Month

Pvt. Allen Mack having fun with some new recruits at Copper Breaks State Park. Photo by Louisa Torrance.

Blast from the Past

Tommy Jones, retired from Possum Kingdom SP. Tommy was one of the original TPWD Buffalo Soldiers. TPWD Photo

Historic Photo of the Month

October has been a very wet month with lots of flooding. The Buffalo Soldiers were also fascinated by the power of water as seen here as the 25th Infantry Iron Riders look at a waterfall in Yellowstone National Park. Photo Courtesy of the National Archives.

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 Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and help share our story!