BUFFALO SOLDIERS OF THE ARIZONA TERRITORY, MESA
BUFFALO SOLDIERS OF THE ARIZONA TERRITORY, MESA
PHOENIX - An organization that honors the history of Arizona's Buffalo Soldiers is up against the clock to finish a monument outside the state capitol.
Dressed like the Buffalo Soldier who first arrived at Fort Huachuca in the late 1800s, Commander Fred Marable and Deputy Commander Michelle London-Marable have dedicated a part of their life to share a story that's centuries old.
On the mild winter Arizona day we met, the husband-and-wife duo said they've worn the handmade uniform in over triple-digit desert heat - just like the Buffalo Soldiers did.
"They're our foundation, to look up to," said Fred.
Buffalo Soldiers got their name from the Native Americans they fought who couldn't help but respect the Black soldier's valor in battle.
As a war reenactor, Commander Marable suggests how Native Americans may have reacted upon fighting a Black solider for the first time during the civil war.
"We've never seen anything like him before, his eyes are brown like the buffalo, his hair is black and curly like the buffalo," said Marable.
By: Jordan Bontke, Reporter
The Marables today look to convey a simple message about their ancestors; although they may look different from the outside, the bolldshed from a Buffalo Soldier to defend the country is the same color as every other soldiers.
"They wanted to do that because they wanted to be soldiers too." said Marable.
So, to honor those who came before them, the Marables worked with Arizona state lawmakers back in 2017 to put a monument outside the Capitol.
SB1179 and HB2419 were passed with little to no push back in 2018 and the state gave the 'OK' needed to start a monument east of the Capitol in the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza.
The monument would include a statue of Cathy Williams, known to be the only documented Black woman to serve in the army in the 19 century, She's the only known black female Buffalo Soldier. She went by William Cathay and dressed like a man to serve her country.
As of February 25, over $100,000 has been raise by the Buffalo Soldiers of the Arizona Territory, Mesa, AZ. The monument they're hoping for is $650,000.
"We ran into a problem because of COVID 19," said Michelle.
The Marables say there's a deadline to finish the monument by 2025 but the monument they want is estimated to take 18 months for it to be completed.
The Buffalo Soldiers of the Arizona Territory hopes to raise the rest of the money by sometime next year.
So in the meantime, the Marables will continue to fight the good fight in hopes to erect these statues.
"History is our foundation this country,"
Help Us Raise $650,000 Buffalo Soldiers AZ Territory Monument to be placed at Arizona State Capitol, Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza downtown Phoenix, AZ
"We are beginning an occasional series highlighting other historical and heritage groups in the Phoenix area". The Buffalo Soldiers of the Arizona Territory were organized to ensure the heritage of the AZ territorial period and the Black Americans of that time are not lost to destiny.
The Mesa Tribune Newspaper - Mesa group launches drive for Buffalo Soldiers state at Capitol.
A community newspaper serving Scottsdale, North Phoenix, Carefree, Cave Creek and Surrounding Areas.
This area nonprofit is raising funds to erect a Buffalo Soldier monument at the Arizona State Capitol. Commander Fred Marable and Deputy Commander London-Marable, founders of the Buffalo Soldiers of the Arizona Territory are reaching out to businesses, veterans' organizations, entrepreneurs, sports figures, nonprofit organizations, community leaders and individuals for help to erect the first African American Buffalo Soldiers AZ Territory Monument, 9th and 10th Cavalry and 24th and 25th Infantry, which will be placed at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in Phoenix, the fundraising goals is $650,000
Alexa Block - Digital Journalist, Channel 12 News. Proposed monument near Arizona's capitol would honor forgotten Buffalo Soldiers AZ Territory Monument. Buffalo Soldiers Day: How Black Soldiers laid the foundation for Equality in America.
July 28, 2020 Buffalo Soldiers Day: How Black Soldiers laid the foundation for Equality in America.
Proud Members: 2019 to Present. A community per serving Mesa residents, Businesses, Non-profits, Veterans Organizations and more...
HELP OUR CAUSE FUNDRAISER $650,000 Buffalo Soldiers AZ Territory Monument, 1866 - 1902 to be erect at the Arizona State Capitol, Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza downtown Phoenix, Arizona.
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"What's Up Black Arizona" email Newsletter - Arizona Center for Connecting and Informing Black folks". Is a monthly email to community.
The Official Arizona Centennial Legacy Buffalo Soldiers of the Arizona Territory - Ladies and Gentlemen of the Regiment, garnered backing from United Arizona Veterans (UAV) to build a monument at Wesley Bolin Plaza to pay tribute to the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers. Additional, state legislators Representative Richard Andrade and Senator Catherine Miranda.
On February 14, 2018, Senator Catherine Miranda, SB1179 Buffalo Soldiers Memorial and the Official Arizona Centennial Legacy Buffalo Soldiers of the Arizona Territory - Ladies and Gentlemen of the Regiment, Mesa, Arizona is the proponent of the SB1179.
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