The Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society will commemorate National Buffalo Soldiers Day with an evening program on Saturday, July 27th, at the New Deal Theater, on the grounds of Fort Bayard National Historic Landmark.  Doors open at 6 p.m., with the program at 6:30.

The keynote speaker will be Mr. William Kupke, who will present the story of Corporal Clinton Greaves, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in a fight with Apache hostiles in the Florida Mountains in January, 1877. Greaves is commemorated in the familiar sculpture that resides in the center of the Fort Bayard parade ground, produced by sculptor Greg Whipple in 1992. Mr. Kupke intends to present three different versions of the incident, and ask the audience to help decide which scenario is most likely closest to reality.  According to Kupke, “It seems that the more you read about Greaves, the less you feel you really know about him!”

National Buffalo Soldiers Day was designated in the early 1990s by President George H.W. Bush, and is meant to honor the service of African-American soldiers, who served in segregated units commanded by white officers from the Civil War through World War II. Native Americans first referred to the black troops as “Buffalo Soldiers”, probably because their hair and skin reminded them of the plains buffalo, which many tribes held as sacred animals. Several famed regiments of Buffalo Soldiers served at Fort Bayard, including the 9th and 10th cavalry.

The program is free to the public and guests are invited to attend and enjoy complimentary refreshments, courtesy of the FBHPS. Donations will be accepted.

For more information, contact Dr. Doug Dinwiddie at 388-4862