Buffalo Soldiers Subject of February 17 Lecture

SALISBURY, MD---As part of African-American history month at Salisbury State University, Dr. Clara Small, a history professor, hosts a presentation and fashion show about the Buffalo Soldiers and their legacy in American history.

The Thomas Elzey Polk, Sr. Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers is sponsoring Buffalo Soldiers Day. The event is in the Guerrieri University Center Wicomico Room, Saturday, February 17, from noon-3 p.m. Admission is free and the public is invited.

     Velma Collins, granddaughter of Polk whom the Buffalo Soldier the unit is named for, will assist Small.

“This is a multicultural and diverse nation and it’s important to share and learn about other cultures,” Small said.

As Americans moved West after the Civil War, Buffalo Soldiers provided valuable services by defending settlers from hostile threats such as Indians, surveying the land, stringing hundreds of miles of telegraph wire and providing law in an often lawless land.

These mounted regiments, comprised of blacks, were soon nicknamed Buffalo Soldiers by the Cheyenne and Comanche Indian tribes.

”SSU is supportive of trying to bring different elements of the community to share their heritage,” Small said. She will have representations of the soldier’s equipment and there will be a fashion show depicting their various uniform styles over the decades.

For more information call Vaughn White at 410-548-4503 or visit the University’s Web site at www.salisbury.edu.