Guest Speakers

What is a Hero? Join a Park Ranger for a 45-minute PowerPoint presentation on Buffalo Soldiers and the Medal of Honor. During the almost 90 years that the Buffalo Soldiers served in segregated US Army units 30 Buffalo Soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor. They received the medal for actions in the Plains Wars through the Korean War. Discover four of the men who were awarded the nation’s highest honor for bravery. This program can be given in person or virtually.

During World War II, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was the only all-Black female unit deployed overseas. Their mission was to sort through a backlog of mail, which was a critical boost to the morale of soldiers on the frontlines. Learn about how the 6888th came to be and how the leadership of Wilberforce University alumna Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams attributed to their success.

In the late 1890s, the bicycle grew in popularity as a mode of transportation. This sparked a curiosity for their use in the military. Lieutenant James A. Moss of the 25th Infantry volunteered to test this idea. Learn how the newly formed 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps journeyed over 2000 miles across the varied American landscape from Fort Missoula Montana to St. Louis Missouri. Discover the challenges and triumphs faced by the Buffalo Soldiers on their ride into history.

Brigadier General Charles Young led an extraordinary life of firsts. He was the first African American national park superintendent, the first African American Colonel in the U.S. Army and the first African American military attaché. Besides these personal achievements Young was also a mentor to many including students at Wilberforce University and future generations of Army officers including Benjamin O. Davis Sr.

On July 28, 1866, Congress passed the Army Reorganization Act, which established six new all-Black regiments. As they were sent West, a nickname arose for these all-Black regiments. That nickname was “Buffalo Soldiers”. Though the nickname has unknown origins, it has grown to symbolize and honor those who served in the all-Black Army regiments.

How do our relationships and commitments to others effect our actions? These commitments are seen through the actions they take through various periods of joy, sadness, and hardships in the Army. Learn about the stories of African Americans who served in the military and how their commitments to their loved ones effected their actions on and off the battlefield.

Our Read with a Ranger program allows students to explore the stories of the Buffalo Soldiers. Discover their adventures out west and the various National Parks they cared for. Learn about where the Buffalo Soldiers served, who inspired them, and what they accomplished between 1866 and the Korean War.  The various books are suitable for grades Kindergarten through 2nd grade. Contains lessons of courage, bravery, and resilience.

Henry O. Flipper was born enslaved and became the first African American officer and graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1877. However, during his fifth year of service, on June 30, 1882, he was dishonorably discharged from the Army. Flipper fought to regain his honor for the rest of his life. He continued to serve as a public servant, working for the Department of the Interior as well as an engineer.

Before the creation of the National Park Service, the US Army were assigned to manage national parks. This included the Buffalo Soldiers who were assigned to protect parks such as Yosemite, General Grant, and Sequoia National Parks. Discover the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers in our National Parks and how their contribution across the American landscape continues to be captured and preserved for future generations to learn and explore.

How has music influenced your connection to a community? Throughout the history of the United States military, music has been part of the sound experience of soldiers. For the Buffalo Soldiers, music also served as a tool to build a connection to the communities they served.