Mission
Our mission is to acknowledge, honor, promote, and preserve the history and contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers and military persons who served the United States of America.
We pursue that mission through three pillars: the Annual Memorial Celebration at West Point, the Operation Impact veteran and youth programs, and ongoing community outreach with partners across the country.
History
1962–2014
Beginning in 1962, Jackie “Jack” Gaines and Alpheus “Al” Jones, retired 9th and 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers of West Point, began to host annual memorial events to honor and celebrate the legacy of the Buffalo Soldier and the contributions of African American Veterans in the Hudson Valley region of New York State. With the help of Leon Tatum, Edward Sisk, Edward Smith, Sanders H. Matthews Sr., Perry Hicks, Kenneth Nike, Joseph Dunn, Wilber Mays, Hewitt Teabout, and over 50 other retired 9th and 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers of West Point, the annual memorial events honored, promoted, and acknowledged the contributions of African American Veterans in Army history.
Over the years, the annual events of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers of West Point grew in popularity and became a beacon of history within the Hudson Valley region. Their efforts were recognized in 1973, when Colonel Floyd McAfee placed a “Memorial Rock” as a marker for the Black Horse Cavalry Detachments that served at the United States Military Academy from 1907 to 1946 at the intersection of Thayer road and Mills road at West Point. The marker helped the Buffalo Soldiers at West Point to bring greater recognition to the contributions of African Americans who graduated from the United States Military Academy, as well as engage and inform a broader public audience of the contributions of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers at West Point. For 55 years, an original Buffalo Soldier that served at West Point during WWII has hosted an annual memorial service at the United States Military Academy to honor and celebrate the legacy of fellow Buffalo Soldiers and Veterans in the U.S. Army, every Labor Day Weekend. Since the 1990s, the color guard from the USMA Military Police company and buglers from the USMA Band provide support for the Buffalo Soldiers’ Memorial Service and reunion, which ends in a 21-gun salute.
In 2008, the Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point, Inc. was founded by the last living known West Point Buffalo Soldier, Sergeant (Ret.) Sanders H. Matthews (now deceased), with the help of Mattie Moore, Joseph Thaxton, Robert Young, and Kerney Oby (now deceased). The Association was created as a not-for-profit Corporation (501(c)3 in the state of New York to expand the Buffalo Soldiers Memorial event, increase educational programs, and enhance the awareness of the contributions and experiences of active and retired military personnel in the Army, and Veterans in the Hudson Valley region.
In 2010, the last living commander of the 9th and 10th Cavalry of the Buffalo Soldiers at West Point, Thomas John Nazzaro, established an educational scholarship at Norwich University--the Military College in Northfield, Vermont. The scholarship is awarded annually to lineal descendants of the 9th and 10th Cavalry, known as “Buffalo Soldiers” with preference given to all lineal descendants of the United States Military Academy Cavalry Detachment at West Point, New York. Norwich University is the country’s oldest private military college and birthplace to the ROTC program in the United States.
In 2011, members of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club (NABSTMC)-Northeast Frontier began to attend the Buffalo Soldiers wreath laying ceremony at the “Memorial Rock” at West Point. In 2013, the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club West Point Chapter was created, and over 100 members of the NABSTMC attend the Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point commemorative events.
In 2014, the Association helped arrange for President Barack Obama to greet Buffalo Soldiers Lewis Coffield and Sanders H. Matthews Sr. at Stewart Air National Guard Base prior to his departure from Newburgh, New York. In 2015, the Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point continues to host annual commemorative events, educate the public, honor and celebrate military personnel, and create Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) initiatives that preserve the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers.
To view a video interview of Sergeant Sanders Matthews archived by the West Point Center for Oral History - Click here.
2015 to Today
A Permanent Tribute. After more than a decade of fundraising and partnership with the United States Military Academy and the West Point Museum, the Buffalo Soldier Monument was dedicated at West Point in September 2021, during our 60th Annual Memorial Celebration. Sculpted by Eddie Dixon the same artist who created the Fort Leavenworth Buffalo Soldier Monument it stands today as a permanent tribute to the 9th and 10th Cavalry Detachments who served at West Point from 1907 to 1946.
Honoring Our Founder & Last Living Buffalo Soldier at West Point. In 2016, the Association mourned the passing of Sergeant (Ret.) Sanders H. Matthews Sr., the founder of BSAWP at the age of 95. He didn’t live to see the Monument dedicated and to know that the legacy he carried for decades would endure in stone, in our programs, and in the next generation of young people we serve in his name. His wife, Cora L. Matthews lived 4 years after his passing. She passed away on March 26, 2020, seven days after the Department of the Army approved the donation and erection of Buffalo Soldiers Monument at West Point at the age of 102. In the Village of Highlands, Mayor Patrick Flynn, issed an official proclamation declaring September 3rs Sgt Sanders Matthews Day in honor of his service, leadership, and his lifelong service to West Point and the community. In 2021, the Town of Highland Falls, issued an official proclamation declaring September 10, Cora L Matthews Day of Service for her service as a military spouse, enterpreneur, and community service as a volunteer with the Highland Falls Ambulance Corps In 2024, Rev. Robert Walter Dixon Sr. , the last surviving Buffalo Soldier stationed at West Point passed away near Albany, New York, on November 15, 2024, at the age of 103.
Operation Impact Launched After COVID. In collaboration with the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club (NABSTMC) together with community organizations, veteran service organizations, and fellow nonprofits the Association relaunched Operation Impact, as an intergenerational program serving both students and veterans. Each program embodies the values of discipline, service, and excellence that defined the Buffalo Soldiers.
A Growing Memorial Tradition. What began in 1962 as a humble gathering of Buffalo Soldier veterans has become a powerful national tradition, an annual Labor Day Weekend celebration that draws descendants, active‑duty service members, federal officials, motorcycle clubs, and supporters from across the country. Each year, the circle widens, and the spirit deepens. What started as remembrance has grown into a living testament to courage, unity, and service. A celebration that bridges generations and honors those whose strength and sacrifice continue to inspire the nation.
Looking Ahead. As we mark our 65th Annual Memorial in 2026, BSAWP is expanding Operation Impact, deepening our partnerships with corporate and foundation supporters, and launching a national outreach campaign to ensure the Buffalo Soldier story reaches classrooms, cities, and veteran communities across America.