Living Legends and Loving Memories

We are proud to have in our membership a "Living Legend", Trooper Henri A. LeGendre, 9th Cavalry World War II. The Chapter's Historian, Trooper LeGendre is truly living the last chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers through continued dedication and service.

In October 2005, BSGNCC said goodbye to Trooper Myrtle Rhoden, WAC Unit (stationed at Fort Clark, Texas) World War II.  Trooper Rhoden, will always be remembered for her many years of dedication and service.

Trooper Henri LeGrandre			Trooper Myrtle Rhoden

Evolution of the Ninth and Tenth (Horse) Cavalry Association

The 9th & 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association traces its beginning to 1966 in Kansas City, Missouri. At that time, a group of former cavalrymen got together to talk about their military heritage and unique military experience. One hundred years had passed since, by an Act of Congress, two regiments of cavalry were created for colored men. Designated the 9th and 10th Cavalry, these regiments were part of a bold experiment to accept Black men in the regular army establishment.

At the Kansas City meeting were veterans of the 9th & 10th Calvary regiments. Many were assigned to the regiments when they were inactivated in March 1944. With their ranks getting thin, they looked for ways to assure that information about the exploits and accomplishments of the original Black cavalrymen and their own experience would not die with them. It was decided that this could be accomplished by forming a 9th & 10th cavalry association. It was aloes decided to hold annual reunions at different locations in the nation. Annual reunions, it was assumed, would attract the men who had served in the regiments and shared the common unique experience, would perpetuate the memory of comrades 2ho have passed on, and would provide community awareness of their rich military heritage.

The Ninth & Tenth Cavalry Association was initially chartered in the State of Missouri as a non-profit organization. Later the name was changed to Ninth & Tenth (Horse) Cavalry Association to distinguish it from modern cavalry units. In 1985, the charter of the Ninth & Tenth (Horse) Cavalry Association was transferred from the State of Missouri to the State of Kansas.

At the outset, regular membership in the association was limited to persons who had served in the 9th & 10th Cavalry Regiments. In 1977, allied membership was extended to any person who has rendered outstanding service to the association or to the United States through service either in the Armed Forces or their community.

An active effort of the Association is to stimulate public awareness and interest in the history and achievements of the Buffalo Soldiers. Most historians have overlooked or suppressed the role played by Buffalo Soldiers in the settlement and economic development of the western half of the United States after the Civil War. Moreover, their years of service to this nation, both at home and abroad, is just gradually becoming known. To increase public knowledge of their unique record of service, the Association uses its resources to engage in community activities that feature the contributions of Black men and women in American military history.

Annual Reunions

The first annual reunion, the 101st Anniversary Reunion, was held in 1967 at Fort Riley, Kansas. Since that time, the association has held successful annual reunions with extensive lists of notables that include Colonel (later General) Julius Becton, Jr., Colonel (later General) Roscoe Robinson, Jr., the late General Daniel "Chappie" James, Rear Admiral L. A. Williams, Major General John Q. T. King, Major General Harry Brooks, and Brigadier General (later General, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and now Secretary of State) Colin L. Powell. The Greater North Carolina Chapter was the proud host of the 140th Annual Reunion in Greensboro, North Carolina in 2006.