Archive for January, 2010

Buffalo Soldier Bill Now in Congress!

Posted January 21, 2010 at by Geneva Brett, VP.

If you listen very carefully you might be able to hear ” thank you” whispered from across the ages from some Veterans of Foreign Wars called Buffalo Soldiers. No Veteran should be slighted or forgotten; every Veteran signed a blank check to the USA …. to do whatever, whenever, wherever duty called. It is time these Veterans are not only remembered, but also honored for their service, valor and excellence under extreme adversity.

Our sincerest thanks and appreciation to Congresswoman Speier and the co-sponsors.

January 21, 2010 Press Release …..

Speier bill honors Buffalo Soldiers’ historic Presidio-Yosemite trek

Today, Congresswoman Jackie Speier (San Francisco/San Mateo County) introduced the Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act along with Reps William “Lacy” Clay (MO), Barbara Lee (CA), John L. Lewis (GA) and 47 other original co-sponsors. The bill authorizes the National Park Service to study the role the African American regiments played in establishing the National Park System and to honor their historic contribution to the nation.

The Buffalo Soldiers were garrisoned at the San Francisco Presidio toward the end of the 19^th Century and dawn of the 20^th. Many came to San Francisco after successful campaigns in the Philippine Insurrection and the Spanish American War (where they gained legendary status as fearless fighters alongside Theodore Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders”). Among the duties assigned to the Buffalo Soldiers was patrolling the newly-preserved Yosemite and Sequoia parks prior to the establishment of the National Park System.

To get to the parks, the soldiers left the Presidio in May and headed south along El Camino Real through San Mateo County. It was a thirteen day trip covering 280 miles from San Francisco to Yosemite. The trek to Sequoia spanned 320 miles and took 16 days. Later, regiments disembarked from Monterey, shortening the journey somewhat.

“I lived my entire life within walking distance of El Camino Real and never knew this chapter in our local history,” Congresswoman Speier said.

“This bill directs the National Park Service to study and disseminate the role of Buffalo Soldiers in the foundation of the National Park System. Locally, my hope is that this remarkable story is incorporated into lesson plans for children learning about our region. We all learned in history class about the Spanish missionaries, the 49ers and the railroad barons. In more recent years, educators have stressed the history of local Native American tribes who made their home along what would later be known as San Francisco Bay. The story of the Buffalo Soldiers should be added to that history.”

WHY THEY’RE CALLED BUFFALO SOLDIERS
According to legend, Native Americans nicknamed the troops “Buffalo Soldiers” in reaction to their dark skin and curly hair. Since the buffalo was highly-esteemed in Native American cultures for its bravery and fierce fighting spirit, the troops accepted the title as a badge of honor.

The Buffalo Soldiers’ story has most recently been memorialized in Ken Burns’ documentary The National Parks: America’s Best Idea: http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/watch-video/#858.

You can stay up to date with all of the sponsors and the movement of the bill at www.thomas.gov – in the next few hours, the bill should be listed (HR 4491).

Please email or phone your Congressional Representative and urge them to vote YES to honoring these little noted and mostly forgotten American Veterans. If you don’t know your Congressional Representative, you can find your Representataive based on your zip code. You can also write your Representative.

There is no sense in complaining about what folks did or didn’t do yesterday … YOU must act today to make a difference! Please, and thank you!

Vision Quest visits LBBSA

Posted January 15, 2010 at by Trooper Craig.

Category: Uncategorized

It was to our delight to welcome Bob Burton and Houston Wedlock (Vision Quest)and dine with them at Woolgrowers in Los Banos as we discuss the Historical Trail Project. I was ecstatic about so much knowledge that I didn’t know about the Buffalo Soldiers history. Who knew the Buffalo Soldiers were abroad in so many international areas such as China, Haiti, Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico & the Philippines? Did you also know their trade mark name was Wild Buffalos before they were called Buffalo Soldiers…(WOW!!!) we learn something new everyday.

2010 - Year of the Veteran

Posted January 15, 2010 at by Geneva Brett, VP.

Category: Uncategorized

2010 Proclaimed - Year of the Veteran in Los Banos

As testament to the feelings of the people of Los Banos regarding our Veterans, there was a standing ovation after Raul Gutierrez, Chair of the Veterans Committee for the Benevolent Order of the Elks, received the Proclamation from the Mayor Proclaiming 2010 the Year of the Veteran in Los Banos.

Upon Mr. Gutierrez’s request for any Veterans in the audience to join him in accepting this honor, local Veteran Bob Reister (not pictured) and two members of The Los Banos Buffalo Soldiers 9^th and 10^th Cavalry Association went before the Council to accept Los Banos’ thanks.

Part of the Proclamation reads (without the WHEREAS’):

“The American Veteran is forever a symbol of heroism, sacrifice, loyalty, and freedom. We hereby urge all citizens to solemnly remember the sacrifices of those who have fought so valiantly in our past conflicts on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores. We ask all Los Banosans to recognize the sacrifices of those who have gone before them to preserve our heritage of freedom.

Los Banos recognizes honors and thanks all Veterans of the Armed Services of the United States of America, past and present, who have served their country, both living and dead. The memories of these American Veterans will continue to live on whenever and wherever democracy exists. Freedom is paid for by the blood, sweat, tears and very lives of our Veterans and their families.”

Much to the delight of the Mayor (a Veteran himself) Mr. Gutierrez mentioned plans are in the works for a 2010 Veterans Parade. Mayor Jones stressed the importance of including school children so they truly understand the sacrifices our Veterans make to ensure our freedom, and promised to do whatever he can to help with youth involvement.

Although the initial idea was for a Parade on Veterans Day, members of the Chamber of Commerce, Elks, VFW, American Legion, Buffalo Soldiers, and Rotary have decided a 6pm Independence Day Parade Saluting our Veterans would be preferred. America is able to celebrate Independence because of the sacrifices of our Veterans. The Parade would go down 6^th Street and end at the Fairgrounds prior to the Fireworks celebration.

The participation of all service clubs and other community organizations is wanted, needed, and appreciated in the planning and participation of this Parade. Contact Raul Gutierrez (Elks) 826-2282 elks2510@pacbdll.net, Robert Strauch (VFW) firerob24lbfd@sbcglobal.net or Geneva Brett (Chamber) 587-0573 Geneva.Brett@Century21.com, to become part of the Parade Committee.

One of the goals for 2010 is for increased participation of our younger Vets; from those who served in Vietnam to those returning today. It matters not whether the Veterans saw combat duty. What matters is that the Veteran wrote a blank check to the United States of America; offering his or her life on behalf of every American citizen. Los Banos is excited for the opportunity to honor and thank each and every Veteran in our community. Veterans, we Salute YOU!

(From an article by Geneva Brett in “The Paper”)

Meeting at Fort Mason, San Francisco

Posted January 15, 2010 at by Geneva Brett, VP.

Category: Uncategorized

December 10,2009 ….. History was made at this round table discussion at Fort Mason!

From left Lisa Hillstrom (Presidio Trust Program), Gwen Sobolewski (Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy), David Shaw (Golden Gate NationalParks Conservancy), Chris Powell (National Parks Service - Public Affairs), Steve Haller (NPS - Golden Gate National Recreation Area-Park Historian), Frank Dean (NPS GGNRA - Act Supr), Craig Kenkle (NPS GGNRA -Dpt Supr), Yollette Merritt (Santa Clara County Hisotric Heritage Commissioner), Geneva Brett (Los Banos Chamber of Commerce & Los Banos Buffalo Soldiers Assn), David Ofwono (Los Banos Buffalo Soldier Assn), Jeanette King (Los Banos Chamber of Commerce)