Army Materiel Command's senior enlisted Soldier joined the Huntsville mayor and the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club in an April 26 unveiling of a historical marker commemorating the sacrifices of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments.
Command Sergeant Major James K. Sims joined Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and other local dignitaries during the ceremony at the site of the existing Buffalo Soldier monument on the grounds of the Academy for Academics and Arts.
"The Buffalo Soldiers were not only black American heroes, they were authentic American heroes," Sims told the gathered audience, which consisted of more than 100 Buffalo Soldier motorcycle club members from across the United States. "Since the time these great Americans served, thousands of other brave service members of different race, color and creed have followed their lead and gone into harm's way for our nation -- always moving the cause for equality and justice forward and upward, step by step, sacrifice by sacrifice."
Battle praised the addition of the marker to the site, saying the Buffalo Soldier monument and accompanying historical marker make Huntsville a better community. Battle also proclaimed the day to be "Buffalo Soldier Day" in the City of Huntsville.
According to Battle, members of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments, historically known as the Buffalo Soldiers, were sent to Huntsville following the Spanish American War. They camped in the area now known as 10th Cavalry Hill, in the vicinity of the monument and historical marker.
Following remarks, Sims and Battle joined Huntsville City Councilman Will Culver, Huntsville City Schools director of operations, Dr. Jeffrey S. Wilson, Buffalo Soldier's motorcycle club president Alexander "Ice" Harrison, and Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society's Alex Luttrell in the unveiling of the marker.
"I can think of no better role model for the Soldiers of tomorrow, than the Buffalo Soldiers of yesterday," Sims said. "Their bravery under fire, their honor under pressure, and their dedication to duty will long be remembered by military veterans everywhere."
Huntsville's Buffalo Soldier monument, erected in 2009, is one of only three known monuments dedicated to the historic group of African-American Soldiers. The monument includes a statue of Buffalo Soldier Sgt. George Berry atop his horse holding the regimental flag. The statue rests atop a 10-foot-tall granite base inscribed with the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and listing those who received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
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