On July 28, 1866, the first regular U.S. Army regiments comprised of African American soldiers was established by Congress. Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalries protected unsettled lands as pioneers moved west. In 1992, the U.S. Congress passed a law designating July 28th as Buffalo Soldiers Day, to commemorate their contributions to the nation.

There are 13 Buffalo Soldiers buried in Albuquerque’s Historic Fairview Cemetery. On Friday, July 28, at 9:30 a.m., the cemetery will hold a salute to the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers at the flagpole next to the American Legion #2 burial area inside the cemetery, located at 700 Yale Blvd. SE.

The program will include the raising of a specially designed Buffalo Soldiers flag, the introduction of Buffalo Soldier markers, speakers, and a motorcycle procession in the cemetery. Speakers include:

• Demetrius Brandon, Vice President of the New Mexico Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club
• Jan Cutts, Regent of the Lew Wallace Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution
• Gail Rubin, President, Historic Fairview Cemetery nonprofit organization

The event is free. Donations to support the Historic Fairview Cemetery nonprofit organization are welcome. Cemetery T-shirts will be available for $20.

WHAT: A salute to the history of the Buffalo Soldiers buried in Albuquerque’s Historic Fairview Cemetery.

WHEN: Friday, July 28 (Buffalo Soldiers Day) starting at 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Historic Fairview Cemetery, at the flagpole in the center of the old cemetery inside Fairview Memorial Park, 700 Yale Blvd. NE. Enter the memorial park and turn left to proceed north into the historic section.