(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Historical Moment. West Point Invites FANA To Memorial To Honor Buffalo Soldiers. [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2023-10-03 West Point Sept. 3, 2023 (Federation of Aboriginal Nations of the Americas- FANA. SandHill Band of Lenape and Cherokee Indians [NY, NJ. PA] - SandHill) Normally over the Labor Day weekend, I would relax with family. However, this past Labor Day had found me doing something entirely different. A group of FANA representatives were invited to participate in the 62nd Annual Memorial Celebration commemorating the Buffalo Soldiers that would be held at the Buffalo Soldiers Monument located at West Point on September 3, 2023. FANA’s Minister of International Affairs, Principal Chief Dr. Ronald Yonaguska Holloway of the SandHill Band of Lenape and Cherokee Indians (NY, NJ. PA); FANA member, Chief Joel Tureygua Rosario Tapia; FANA’s Director of Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Outreach to the United Nations, Ms. Maria Lorena Cosme; SandHill Tribal Council Member Carrie Jones, FANA’s Director of Visual Media and Digital Content, Norris Branham; SandHill Tribal Council Member Carrie Jones, and I attended the Buffalo Soldiers memorial. Now why is this so important? It is the first time that West Point recognized an Aboriginal Federation and invited FANA’s Minister of International Affairs, Principal Chief Dr. Ronald Yonaguska Holloway of the SandHill, and a FANA delegation to attend the memorial service. Principal Chief Holloway was invited to speak at the memorial service. He was also asked to assist in laying a wreath in front of the memorial. We were warmly greeted and the Cadets were very respectful to our delegation. The Chiefs were escorted to their seats in the front row, while the rest of us sat behind them. Permit me to deviate slightly from the Buffalo Soldiers. It should be mentioned at this time that both Principal Chief Dr. Ronald Yonaguska Holloway and Chief Joel Tureygua Rosario Tapia are veterans and that indigenous people have served in all branches of the military. Bringing your attention back to the event. Many speakers spoke about the Buffalo Soldiers and the FANA’s Chiefs silently saluted, along with the West Point Officers who spoke about the heroics of the soldiers, when a moment of silence occurred followed by a three-gun salute. For those who do not know about the Buffalo Soldiers and the fact that they were freed slaves, here is some insight into who they were from Wikipedia and other sources. “Buffalo Soldiers were United States Army regiments formed during the 19th century to serve on the American frontier that primarily comprised African Americans. On September 21, 1866, the 10th Cavalry Regiment was formed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas…” “The Buffalo Soldiers' main duty was to support the nation's westward expansion by protecting settlers, building roads and other infrastructure, and guarding the U.S. mail. They served at a variety of posts in the Southwest and Great Plains.” “They compiled a distinguished record, with 18 Buffalo Soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor. This exceptional performance helped to overcome resistance to the idea of black Army officers, paving the way for the first African-American graduate from West Point Military Academy, Henry O. Flipper…” After the ceremony, we were invited to a VIP memorial luncheon. Once again, we were seated at a table in front of the speaker’s podium. Those attending the luncheon were again informed about the Buffalo Soldiers and the military greatness of the United States of America. What was most important to us regarding the event, was the monumental fact that an Aboriginal Federation and a member Tribe had been recognized by West Point, as up until that moment, no governmental body had ever publicly acknowledged FANA’s existence. We never expected the West Point’s Buffalo Soldiers Memorial Committee to be the first to publicly recognize FANA and its members. Please watch the attached video. If the link does not open, please copy and paste. FANA Attends the 62nd Annual Memorial Commemorating the BUFFALO SOLDIERS. If you have any questions, please ask in the comment section. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/10/3/2197025/-Historical-Moment-West-Point-Invites-FANA-To-Memorial-To-Honor-Buffalo-Soldiers Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/