Governor Attacks America's Buffalo Soldiers

By: Michelle Powell

Recently, in the Arizona Republic, Governor Jane Dee Hull chastised America's Buffalo Soldiers Re-Enactors Association, 9^th & 10^th Cavalry, 24^th & 25^th Infantry, (ABSRA), after the suicidal death of 14 year old Anthony Haynes. Governor Hull stated, "We give more scrutiny to child-care providers who have their children in their care only hours a day. I will not have the state of Arizona be a haven for unscrupulous or abusive people who prey on desperate parents and their children."

Governor Hull didn't think America's Buffalo Soldiers was "preying on desperate parents" when she asked ABSRA to provide Color Guard, Honor Guard for the now President George W. Bush, and campaign for her when she was running for the Governor's Office.

On Monday, August 20^th, Governor Hull named a "Boot Camp Advisory Committee" headed by Judge Maurice Portley of Maricopa County Superior Court. In addition to Judge Portley, other members of the committee will include Arizona State Senator, Ruth Solomon; Arizona State Representative, Deb Gullett; Department of Economic Security director, John Clayton; Department of Juvenile Corrections director, Dave Gaspar; Department of Health Services director, Cathy Eden. Also, Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training, Tom Hammerstrom; CEO of Child Crisis Nursery, Chris Scarpati; Arizona Council of Human Service Providers president, Dave Miller; Anasazi Foundation president/CEO, Mike Merchant; president of the YMCA, Gregg O'Brian; Governor's Office, Jodi Beckley; community leader, Jacque Steiner; and Ronnie Perez, a representative for Arizona Project Challenge, an organization that has received sponsorship from America's Buffalo Soldiers Annual Humanitarian Awards.

Democratic Senator Chris Cumminskey told the Arizona Republic that he plans to draft legislation for the 2002 session to close loopholes that allow camps, like America's Buffalo Soldiers National Summer Endurance Boot Camp and other youth programs to operate without scrutiny. In addition, the Senator stated he welcomes Hull's backing and attention to the issue, but he is not sure how much good an exhaustive task force investigation will do.

 

 

ABSRA is a victim of politics and it's own no non-sense environment. Some of the former registered children and parents of ABSRA's Right-of-Passage and National Summer Endurance Boot Camp have slandered, lied, cheated and are denying ABSRA payment for services rendered amounting to $185,000.

Governor Hull needs to consider an apology to the citizens of Arizona, world media and America's Buffalo Soldiers Re-Enactors Association who have represented a part of America's history honorably. Why would the Governor defame ABSRA's character before knowing all the facts?

ABSRA's history has not been without it's prior battles involving renegades, copy-cat groups, venture capitalist wannabe's and associates.

ABSRA's founder, Colonel Chuck Long, stated that "America's Buffalo Soldiers Association has always traveled by faith and not by sight. If the Governor's task force proves to be non-discriminatory and willing to seriously study the success, Buffalo Soldier history and alternative program style of America's Buffalo Soldiers CAPSAG Youth Programs before any recommendations to the Governor or State House of Representatives, I would consider the group to be fair and un-bais. If America's Buffalo Soldiers CAPSAG Youth Programs received the type of funds some of today's intervention programs receive, they would be even more successful with ABSRA prevention program services."

Everyone should start looking at the Desert Advocate newspaper article written by Kalindi Johnson and distributed in New River, Arizona on June 19, 2001, where it is alleged that "ABSRA is getting a loan for $287 Million through the federal government for the development of Fort Powell, America's Buffalo Soldiers Military Academy and Fort Flipper, ABSRA's CAPSAG Academy" and should also listen to the poignant words of Carly Simon and Janet Jackson's "Sun of a Gun" - an eye opener to the people, place and things that incited this riot.

For mission statement, copyright, federal trademark, service mark and photo information on America's Buffalo Soldiers Re-Enactors Association 9^th & 10^th Cavalry, 24^th & 25^th Infantry log onto http://www.thebuffalosoldiers.com or contact ABSRA's Attorney, David Burnell Smith at (480) 990-7500.

America's Buffalo Soldiers Complete Mission

By: Michelle Powell

On Sunday, July 29, 2001, America's Buffalo Soldiers Re-Enactors Association (ABSRA) graduated one-third of its original count from this year's infamous National Summer Endurance Boot Camp. As originally scheduled, America's Buffalo Soldiers summer camp graduated on time and presented certificates of completion to 8 males and 5 females who exhibited Desire, Dedication, Discipline and Siempre Leal to complete the tough love boot camp that ABSRA struggled to complete in the midst of a suicide and law suit.

This Summer's Top Soldier was Boot Craig Dennis, who not only obtained the highest score on his finals but also won ABSRA's prestigious Mind Award and Spirit Award.

America's Buffalo Soldiers Re-Enactors Association, (ABSRA) 9^th & 10^th Cavalry, 24^th & 25^th Infantry Summer Camp is not a fun in the sun camp or an easy way for children to spend time. It is a solution specifically designed to offer parents and youth a chance to break out of the cycle of disrespect, lack of discipline, suspension, expulsion, arrest and re-arrest. Many of ABSRA's children are exposed to drugs, gang violence, abuse, abandonment and no incentive for an education. America's Buffalo Soldiers believe that children should be able to live with hope, honor, respect and discipline.

ABSRA's National Summer Endurance Boot Camp provides a rigorous and balanced place for juveniles to change. ABSRA calls this treatment guided centering through drama therapy. It encourages emotional expression of issues and teaches youth how to redirect themselves through self-control.

Following in the tradition of excellence established by the historic America's Buffalo Soldiers, ABSRA's National Summer Endurance Boot Camp has developed over 350 of its own elite corps of soldiers to provide a fitting role model for today's youth. America's Buffalo Soldiers Re-Enactors Association, 9^th & 10^th Cavalry, 24^th & 25^th Infantry provides four (4) programs; Right-of-Passage, Day-In-A-Life, Suspension and Summer Camp for culturally diverse young men and women between the ages of seven (7) and seventeen (17). ABSRA's National Summer Endurance Boot Camp is a five (5) week, thirty-five (35) day tough camp beginning the last week of June that consists of the following components:

• Drama Therapy
• Physical Fitness
• Close Order Drill
• Desert Survival
• Equestrian Arts
• Water Safety
• Herpetology
• Buffalo Soldier History

America's Buffalo Soldiers National Summer Endurance Boot Camp has met specific needs of youth - physically, emotionally, educationally and psychologically at $5.06 per hour, per trooper for a minimum of thirty-five (35) to forty-five (45) troopers maximum per Platoon. ABSRA observes and monitor behavior as a matter of course. ABSRA reevaluates with input from a variety of sources including staff, parents and consultants.

It is ABSRA's vision that the spirit of America's Buffalo Soldiers Re-Enactors Association 9^th & 10^th Cavalry, 24^th & 25^th Infantry will return to the battlefields of America's communities and rescue our youth from self-destruction and return the principals of honor, respect and discipline to a generation of lost people who lack desire and dedication. It is also ABSRA's vision that America's Buffalo Soldiers will rise again in the hearts and souls of America's children and rescue a generation.

For the past three years, America's Buffalo Soldiers Re-Enactors Association National Summer Endurance Boot Camp has been the victim of conspiracy and mutiny. Why this year are the Governor of Arizona, Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Children Action Alliance, Maricopa County Sheriff's Department and venture capitalists giving aide to unruly, at-risk children and unnamed individuals who are starting a boot camp and trying to put America's Buffalo Soldiers Re-Enactors Association out of a 12-year business with probable cause and statements that ABSRA "is preying on desperate parents"?

How much experience will a parent have to have to take their son and daughter camping? Any adult taking a young man or woman camping under the age of 18 in Arizona maybe facing the possibility that the adult or adults in charge of the camping trip must have a degree in child psychology, child psychiatry, emergency medical training, desert survival or be associated with the Cub Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts of America.

What is the real story and motive of some of ABSRA's registered parents, children and politicians who have been talking to the world media about the Anthony Haynes vs America's Buffalo Soldiers case? Is it because some of the registered parents along with the White Mountain Apache Indians owe ABSRA in excess of $185,000 for services rendered in this year's Right-of-Passage and last years Summer Camp? The Arizona Republic reported that the Haynes family paid $2,000 for Anthony to attend ABSRA's camp. This is not true. Along with Colonel Long's group making Anthony and others eat dirt is a lie. Anthony's mother only paid $200 towards ABSRA's Right-of-Passage and nothing for Summer Camp because she lost her job.

On Sunday, July 1, 2001, ABSRA was not conducting any physical fitness, close order drill or in-your-face tough love operation. ABSRA always schedules Sundays as Creator's Day. Candidates do nothing but enjoy rest and relaxation, plenty of water, music, writing letters to their parents, showers, meals and a scheduled movie.

This case has many red flags of Greed, Land Appropriation for Fort Powell and Fort Flipper, Conspiracy, Deformation of Character, Suicide, Violation of Civil Rights, Politics and Extreme Prejudice muddying the water and clouding America's Buffalo Soldiers Re-Enactors Association's history of success and opportunity for justice.

Source: Arizona Informant Newspaper - Wednesday, August 15, 2001

On Monday, June 26, 2000, the world changed for 83 culturally diverse, parent registered angels, whose wings were plucked feather by feather. America's Buffalo Soldiers Re-Enactors Association (ABSRA) is proud to congratulate the graduates of WMAT & ABSRA CAPSAG Summer Endurance Boot Camp.

This years Summer Camp was held at Fort Apache, a place of vision, hope, reconciliation, forgiveness, strength, healing and arena to pursue the path of righteousness and self-reliance on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, Whiteriver, Arizona.

Historically, many Apaches living today are direct descendants of Scouts for the 1866, United States Congress Commissioned Black Army troops known as "America's Buffalo Soldiers, 9^th & 10^th Cavalry, 24^th & 25^th Infantry." These Black Soldiers were given their name by Native Americans and played a crucial role in American history, yet never appeared in public school history books. In their beginning, America's Buffalo Soldiers were the most culturally diverse regiments to serve who formed enduring alliances with Apache Scouts and other Native American communities including marriage.

The graduating candidates that were challenged by the WMAT & ABSRA CAPSAG Summer Endurance Boot Camp, faced extreme adversity with remarkable tenacity, loyalty and a true sense of tradition.

Each candidate faced his or her own fears, hardships, barriers and truths; graduating with an exceptional sense of pride and community. The eighty-three (83) candidates who started boot camp; thirty-nine (39) survivors graduated. ABSRA awarded the "Mind Award" to Joshua Alexander, the "Body Award" to Juan Mata and the "Spirit Award" to Marcus "Tiger" Bones. For the second time in ABSRA's 11-year history, has the "Top Soldier Award" been presented to a young lady. This year's recipient was Ms. Shawna Arenas.

ABSRA applauds the White Mountain Apache Tribal Council, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tribal mothers and ABSRA Parent Association for their support, sincerity and vote that far exceeded politics.

ABSRA's Summer Endurance Boot Camp is one of four (4) programs offered to Arizona and the nation via "Caring Adults Providing Support And Guidance" (CAPSAG) to young people of all persuasions. ABSRA's CAPSAG Boot Camps are a no non-sense in-your-face, tough love operation that ABSRA's Commander, Colonel Chuck Long, says "we do not apologize for."

ABSRA's CAPSAG Youth Programs offer a Right-of-Passage, Day-In-A-Life, Suspension / Expulsion and Summer Camp that provides intellectual stimulation, a challenge and Discipline. ABSRA's components consist of Physical Fitness, Close Order Drill, Desert Survival, Native American Sweats, Water Safety, Herpetology, Equestrian Arts, Confidence Course, Pledge of Respect, Honor Code and History of America's Buffalo Soldiers, 9^th & 10^th Cavalry, 24^th & 25^th Infantry.

 

The experiences young men and women endured during Summer Camp will facilitate personal growth and become a foundation upon which they can build their dreams of a new and enhanced life.

Colonel Long says, "America's Buffalo Soldiers can produce excellence provided everyone looks beyond their self-interest and bias, some people are treating the symptom rather than eradicate the disease. I always look forward to participation and commitment, and pray that the candidates will exhibit courage, desire, dedication, discipline and loyalty to the history of America's Buffalo Soldiers."

ABSRA's next registration and orientation is for the Fall Right-of-Passage Program on Saturday, August 26, 2000, 10:00 AM Sharp at Phoenix College. For further information on America's Buffalo Soldiers Re-Enactors Association, Senior or Junior Divisions, log onto http://www.thebuffalosoldiers.com or call ABSRA Headquarters at 480-994-1133.

SIEMPRE LEAL

Buffalo soldiers film television commercial at local ranches

Story and photos by Thomas Blaney

America's Buffalo Soldiers Reenactors Association, 10the Cavalry/A-troop, is being featured in a TV News Magazine spot to be marketed in Europe. Producer Larry Vander Veen and videographer Bill Griffitts, of the Washington, D.C. based Mobil Video, saw a feature on the group produced by our local PBS affiliate, KAET, Channel 8. They recognized the potential for a much wider audience. On May 16, they came to Canyon Creek Ranch just east of Black Canyon City, where A.B.S.R.A is preparing to launch a summer youth camp program. Several hours were spent on reenacting filming among the ideal Western movie sets designed by Arizona film veteran Ron Nix. Leading the re-enactors is A.B.S.R.A. Founder, CEO and former Marine Colonel, Chuck F. Long II. Captain Eric Reed, a 24 year Phoenix PD veteran, Sergeant William White, and Private Roland Hayes are the other members taking part in the filming. This was the first Buffalo Soldier organization of it kind when it was founded seven years ago by Col. Long. Since then, there have been a few attempts to imitate his efforts. Long says that he is very pleased to see that his many years of hard work and dedication, as well as that of his loyal staff, is beginning to bear fruit. He says Arizona tour guides constantly tell him how surprised they are that most Europeans, particularly the tourists from Germany, usually have more interest, respect and knowledge of American history than the general public. Many American ethic talents have achieved recognition in Europe more readily than in this country.

The organizations has developed one of the most innovative and promising programs in the nation for at-risk youth. The film crew then followed them to MTM Ranch, where they were joined by other A.B.S.R.A members. They finished the filming as the group set out with 25 kids for a desert survival weekend in the Tonto National Forest north of Cave Creek.