National Buffalo Soldier Day 2023
Mark Costa • November 13, 2023

(Pictured from left to right: R. Brooks Jeffery, Donna Jackson-Houston — Nogales Buffalo Soldiers Legacy Association, Bisbee Mayor Ken Budge, Becky Orozco, Demetria Warren and Charles Hancock — SW Association of Buffalo Soldiers, Charles Young — Territory of Arizona Buffalo Soldiers, Christine Rhodes, Robert Guerrero — Office of Sen. Mark Kelly, Bisbee City Manager Steve Pauken.)
 
 Our first annual Buffalo Soldier Day Open House was a fantastic success, made possible by a dedicated team. Brooks commented “The success of this event was due to the many volunteers and speakers who shared their time, passion and advocacy in honor of the Buffalo Soldiers and the future of Camp Naco. Our thanks to all of you 300+ attendees who braved the heat to witness the inaugural event for our Community Event Space and the initiation of new traditions as Camp Naco becomes a destination for ceremonial as well as educational and entertainment events.”
 
A video of the event is available to view at https://youtu.be/i9aMvi_MTAg

Veterans Day, Tuesday November 11, 2pm                        Rothery Education Center – 3305 E. Fry Blvd, Sierra Vista                        Food provided by                                               Tee Pee Fry Bread                                              of Huachuca City                        Free to attend, registration required and space is limited                        Register here:                                               https://givebutter.com/WarriorTradition                                                                                                 Join the Naco Heritage Alliance for a Veterans Day movie night. This one-hour, national documentary tells the astonishing, heartbreaking, inspiring, and largely-untold story of Native Americans in the United States military. Come learn more about Native Americans and their stories related to the military and the United States. Food will also be provided at the event by Tee Pee Fry Bread, offering plenty of options, from sweet to savory.                                                                                                  "The Warrior Tradition describes the complex Native American situation in our society. Why would Indian men and women put their lives on the line for the very government that took their homelands? The film relates the stories of Native American warriors from their own points of view – stories of service and pain, of courage and fear." -                                              PBS.org                                                                                     For additional information or to register by phone, contact Program Associate Cesilia Garcia at (520) 910–1169
 

Our fellow Beverely Elliot with the                                              African American Museum of Southern Arizona                                               (AAMSAZ) is hosting 'A Taste of African American History' with three food trucks in                                              Tucson on October 25 and Bisbee on November 8                                               .                                                                                                                        The African American Museum of Southern Arizona with a $20,000 fellowship from the Naco Heritage Alliance, is proud to present this event designed to share with you, the community, the cultural context of food in African American celebrations. Let them take you on a delicious adventure as three separate food trucks will prepare grab and go soul food delicacies that are historical and traditional to the culture including authentic Buffalo Soldier fare and foods central to Juneteenth celebrations, Freedom Day fare of New Year’s Day delights!                                                                                                            Click the links below to register for this free event. Space is limited, so sign up today!                                                          October 25 Tucson event                                                      Willie Blake Community Park, 3525 South Naco Vista, Tucson, AZ 85713                                                                   Tickets:                                              https://www.eventbrite.com/.../a-taste-of-african...                                                                                November 8 Bisbee event                                                                                                                       Historic Warren Ballpark, 99 Arizona St., Bisbee AZ 85603                          Tickets:                                              https://www.eventbrite.com/.../a-taste-of-african...
 

Saturday, September 20, 4pm                                                      2118 West Newell St., Naco, AZ                                                                                     Join us for an exciting walkthrough at Camp Naco. Explore the historic grounds, learn about its significance, and immerse yourself in a unique experience. The Camp Naco project is at a pivotal point, and we are inviting the public to view our                         progress and see our plans for the future.                                                                                                                         This                                              in-person, free event                                               is a great opportunity to connect with history by learning more about the Buffalo Soldiers and the surrounding area's history. Don't miss out on this chance to step back in time and discover the charm of Camp Naco. The walkthrough will be led by Executive Director                                              Jeremy Fricke                                               and Construction Manager                                              Mike Normand                                  .                                                                                                            NOTE: This event is limited to only 40 people. This will also be the last chance to see some of the buildings before rehabilitation starts late September, so don't miss out on this opportunity!
 

Come and celebrate the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers! The 2025 Tribute event, hosted by the Southwest Association of Buffalo Soldiers (SWABS) honors the legacy of the Buffalo Soldier Stamp with the theme:
 “The Buffalo Soldier Beyond the Call.”                                                                                            This memorable event features keynote speaker Colonel Richard “Dick” Toliver, USAF (Retired), a distinguished Air Force Veteran and author, as well as a presentation by National Buffalo Soldier Historian Dr. John P. Langellier, and the presentation of the SWABS Buffalo Soldier Legacy Award. With live entertainment by Freddie J with jazz, old-school R&B, and great food.                                                                                                 Camp Naco is proud to sponsor this free event for the community. Thanks as well to our co-sponsors, the Sierra Vista African American Community Coalition and the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona.
 

Rothery Education Center                        3305 E. Fry Blvd, Sierra Vista, AZ                        Saturday, June 21st, 10am-5pm                                                      $5 suggested donation.                                                                                                  In collaboration with the Sierra Vista African American Community Coalition, the Naco Heritage Alliance is proud to sponsor this fun filled family event! Featuring music by Reggae artists, R&B hits, African drumming, DJ’s, poetry, featured speakers & more. Join us in celebrating Juneteenth!                                                                                                 Schedule of performers (subject to change):                                                         10:00am Opening: Queen Mambo                           10:15 Welcome: Queen A/ Bernadette/Ashiya                           10:30 Najashi: Reggae music                           10:40 Sharon Simonton                           11:00 Baba Shibambo: African Drumming                           12:00 Buffalo Soldier Presentation -Demetria Warren                           12:30 Boots on the ground line dance - Skate crew                           12:45 Juneteenth Mexico Celebration film in Conference room                           12:45 Halima Human Design Presentation                           1:00 Poetry reading                           1:15 Gato Afro: Latino music                           2:00 Sisters on Point - Tribute to Angie Stone                           3:00 Reggae Headliner: Ranking Joe
 

Clues of the Past: Tales from a Camp Naco Archaeology Internship                        Thursday, May 29, 4:30pm                                                      915 South Tovreaville Road                                                                  Join two of our former interns, Madeline Colley and Hailey Smith (Cochise College), as they share a presentation of their experiences at the historic Camp Naco site. This is also a chance for the public to view a display of many of the artifacts they studied and documented over the course of the past 9 months. Free event, refreshments will be provided.                                                      Photo: Taryn Smith
 

The Original Cactus League                                                      Baseball on the Border                                                      April 26, 10am-Noon                                                                                                      Local historian Mike Anderson will be leading a tour of the original Camp Naco baseball field, located at the corner of W. Newell Street and S. Willson Road, and sharing the history of the original Cactus League. The original Cactus League was a loose consortium of teams during the first decade and a half of the 20th Century from Bisbee, Douglas, Clifton, Morenci, Cananea, Fort Huachuca, Tucson and sometimes Naco. Afterwards, the event continues at Naco Elementary where Mike will share a presentation on historic baseball. This event is free to attend, join us!
 

Contractors Open House                         Date: Tuesday, March 25 from 11am – 2pm                        Location: Bisbee Council Chambers - 915 S. Tovreaville Rd.                        In collaboration with Naco Heritage Alliance and Durazo Construction                                                                                     Find out more about upcoming opportunities at this informal event. We are seeking licensed, bonded and insured contractors in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, painting, concrete, windows and doors, carpentry, drywall, and low voltage cabling. Free to attend, refreshments provided.
 

Date: Saturday, March 22, 6 PM                                                      Event Address: Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum                                                                                Please note: our Fireplace Chat at the Museum has reached capacity, but there is another great opportunity to meet the author and purchase a signed copy of his newest book. Dr. Langellier will be available from noon to 4 at Bisbee Books and Music, located in the Mercantile on Main. Be sure to stop by!                                                                                                  Join us for a Question & Answer session and book signing with Buffalo Soldier author and military historian                           John Langellier, Ph.D.                                                                              In 1881, the first Buffalo Soldiers arrived in Arizona pursuing elusive Apaches. Over the following decades, African Americans from the Tenth U.S. Cavalry and Twenty-Fourth and Twenty-Fifth Infantry added to the laurels won by the Ninth U.S. Cavalrymen. For more than six decades, Black soldiers served with honor, from campaigns against determined Native Americans to facing dangers along the turbulent border as the Mexican Revolution raged. During the dark days of World War II, they prepared for combat against foes both abroad and at home. All the while, they faced an ever-present, persistent enemy: racism.                                    Author John P. Langellier brings to life the rich history of Buffalo Soldiers in the Copper State.                                                                                Registration is required for this event, as there are a limited number of spaces available. Register                                              HERE
 


