Segregated U.S. Army regiments of late 1800s commemorated in ceremony

TOLEDO, Ohio — The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club’s Toledo Post celebrated Ohio Buffalo Soldiers Day on Sunday.

The term “Buffalo Soldiers” originally referred to the all-black soldiers who served in segregated units of the U.S. Army after the Civil War and during the Korean War in the 1950s. More than 180,000 Buffalo Soldiers served in the military until the armed forces were integrated in 1952.

Ohio is the only state in the nation to designate July 28 as Buffalo Soldier Day on an annual basis, and in 2022, it will do so largely due to the efforts of the Toledo club.

Buffalo Soldier Day was first recognized nationally in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush, but it has not been made an annual event.

A ceremony was held Sunday at Wilson Park in north Toledo, including a presentation by U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., adjutant of the Ohio National Guard.

A large crowd turned out for the event, including U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur and a group from the Buffalo Soldiers Pittsburgh Post.

“It was very rewarding to have not only our Pittsburgh post join us today, but also local dignitaries, council members, state representatives, state senators,” said Fred LeFebvre, Toledo Buffalo Soldiers Secretary Marcy Kaptur. “A great group of people who support us on a regular basis. We can’t do anything without the support of the community and so we are very grateful.”

Comprised of retired law enforcement officers, military personnel and others with a shared passion for motorcycles and community, the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club seeks to educate the public and honor the history of the original “Buffalo Soldiers.”

One of the club’s missions is to teach youth about the legacy and contributions of the Buffalo Cavalry and Infantry Soldiers in the formation of the United States.

The group also administers a scholarship program for those who exemplify “the spirit of the Buffalo Soldiers through their dedication to service to their community and country.”