History of Famed Black Military Unit Re-enacted at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

As Spike Lee's tribute to black soldiers in World War II opens, a local group is celebrating the oldest and most decorated black military unit in U.S. history.

Known as the Buffalo Soldiers, the 10 th U.S. Army cavalry unit formed in 1867 to protect settlers as they journeyed west. By the time the cavalry unit deactivated, its members had won 20 Congressional Medals of Honor.

A historical re-enactment of their role in bringing order to the lawless Old West will be staged during Refuge Roundup 2008 on Oct. 18 at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. In addition to bison tours and music and dance performances, this free family celebration will include live cavalry drills, mock gun fights and educational presentations about the soldiers.

"We start our performances by relaying that a lot of buffalo soldiers were former slaves," said John Bell, founder of the Buffalo Solders of the American West, which re-enactments the life and work of the soldiers. "We show authentic artifacts and bring slave chains. The reactions we get are astonishing. When folks touch the chains, some cry. They know what the chains represent and the power they hold."

Bell created the group in 1986 to depict the history of the soldiers as accurately as possible. The performers wear authentic military dress, use equipment and other artifacts from the time and set up historically accurate campsites. Throughout their performances, the soldiers stay in character and share personal stories of the men who served.

Bell's interest in the group stems from his father, who was a buffalo soldier. Although the units are best known for their work in the Old West, the cavalry unit continued to serve until 1944, and the infantry units fought in the Korean War. Finally, in 1960, the U.S. Army fully integrated the buffalo soldier units.

Bell's group will perform during Refuge Roundup 2008 to raise awareness about an important aspect of U.S. history. In addition to protecting settlers, the cavalry unit partnered with civil authorities to control mobs, pursued outlaws, prevented cattle theft and quelled Mexican revolutionary uprisings. They also worked to construct thousands of miles of roads and telegraph lines, mapped uncharted wilderness and protected postal routes and railroad surveyors.

"This country was built by people of different nationalities and races," Bell said. "Telling the story of the Buffalo Soldiers is not just a story about black history; it's a story about American history."

To see the Buffalo Soldier of the American West perform, visit the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Refuge is located in Commerce City just off I-70 at 56 th Avenue and Havana Street. To learn more, call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 303-289-0930, or visit the Refuge online at http://www.fws.gov/rockymountainarsenal/