by Thomas Blaney
Special to the Sentinel
It seems everyday we hear more stories of doom and gloom about today's
misguided youth and cringe about what that may mean for the future. No
matter what degree of concern we ought to have, it is refreshing when something
comes along with a substantial key to making a big difference in problems
that seem to stymie the best minds and hearts. Americas' Buffalo Soldiers
Re-Enactors Association 10th Cavalry/A-Troop, commanded by former marine
Colonel Chuck Long, is taking their dedication to helping today's youth
to another level. The group offers a mini boot camp for kids over seven
consecutive Saturdays that includes physical training, close order drill,
desert survival, equestrian arts and history. Those who pass the final
oral and written examinations become members and are eligible to perform
with the group in parades and other public functions. The experience is
not a fun and games camp by any means, it is taken very seriously by the
adult instructors who volunteer their time and who also must first successfully
complete a similar boot camp.
| The session on March 22 was held at Canyon Ranch outside Black Canyon City. This was the third session for 28 middle school kids including the first nine females to the program, from ATOP academy in Phoenix. ATOP is a charter reform school for kids with problems ranging from dyslexia to first time offenders in the juvenile system. | |
This day they were joined by 20 seventh and eighth graders from Isaac
Middle School who had won the Black History Month Contest in their school.
The prize was to spend a day with the Buffalo Soldiers. The day began at
8 am with exercises, drills, an apple for breakfast followed by marching
and a Buffalo Soldier history lesson with a carrot for lunch.
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The afternoon was a little more exciting with a quick lesson in horsemanship and a ride followed by more marching. The ranch includes an area of western sets and a sound stage under construction for film work. Canyon Ranch owner Jim Brown surprised the returning hikers who were expecting |
the traditional bowl of beans with wall to wall hamburgers and hot dogs.
Later, a couple of local entertainers engaged the kids in some songs to
cap off a day that will long be remembered. This was a memorable day for
another reason too. A arrangements had just been approved for the Buffalo
Soldiers to conduct a camp for the Y.M.C.A. at the ranch beginning June
23. Facilities should be in place by then for the camp to be operational
full time.
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Canyon Ranch owner Jim Brown is thrilled to be able to include the camps in his operation. Brown's father left home when he was five and working with kids has always been important to him. Their reputation for fierceness came from being hardened by a brutal lifetime in slavery and having no home and family to return to. Native Americans and Blacks who had once been allies against white opression were pitted against each other after the Civil War. |
While a Native warrior often could escape to return to home and relatives
and fight another day, the only option a Buffalo Soldier had was to win.
Even so, their accomplishments were never credited in the history books.
| Despite the forced hostilities between African Americans and Native Americans, intermarriage was not uncommon. This group of racially diverse middle school kids had his undivided attention for this bit of American History that is still little known today. |  |