By Janet Howard | Photos Courtesy: Christopher James Veterans, Action Group Buffalo Soldiers of America

The heroic legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers will take center stage at the upcoming National Buffalo Soldiers Day Resource Fair, scheduled for Monday, July 28th, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Brooklyn Borough Hall. More than a celebration, the event is a bridge—uniting history, community, and service for veterans and their families.

Organized by the Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point, in collaboration with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and the Veterans Action Group, this powerful gathering promises to inform, inspire, and empower. The event is designed to commemorate the brave contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers while delivering much-needed support to today’s veterans.

Honoring a Hidden History

The Buffalo Soldiers were African American servicemen who played a vital role in the United States military, dating back to the Civil War. Though their contributions helped shape American history, their stories remain largely untold.

“Some might even say that without the intervention of the Buffalo Soldiers, the Union Army might have lost the war,” said Christopher James, Executive Director of the Buffalo Soldiers Association of America. “We all know who General Sherman was. We all know who Stonewall Jackson was. But nobody even knows of Colonel Young. He was the first Black officer to lead the Buffalo Soldiers.”

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James emphasized the importance of preserving this legacy, especially in multicultural cities like New York, where veterans from immigrant backgrounds continue to serve the United States with distinction. “It’s very important to be part of this legacy,” he added.

From History to Action

This year’s event goes beyond honoring the past. It brings together key organizations offering critical resources for veterans. “The vision is to inform our veterans and make sure no vet is left behind,” James said. “We’re going to have everything from the Vet Center, which helps with family reintegration, to the VA Office of Medical Services. We’ll also have small business support, legal information, and entertainment. It’s education and entertainment—edutainment.”

Attendees will enjoy a mix of programming that includes live readings from historian Herbert Sweat, printed displays on the Buffalo Soldiers’ legacy, music by a live DJ, and multiple service booths offering direct assistance to veterans and their families.

Click Here to Listen: Celebrating National Buffalo Soldiers Day: A Legacy of Courage and Community

Building Community Infrastructure

The Resource Fair is also part of a broader effort to embed veteran advocacy into local governance. James revealed a visionary plan to create veterans’ subcommittees on every community board in New York City.

“If you’re on the community board, there’s always going to be somebody who knows a veteran,” he explained. “That way, a veteran would never be left behind. They won’t have to navigate the VA bureaucracy on their own. Word of mouth—somebody who knows somebody—can help connect them to services.”

He added, “An educated consumer is the best customer. We want to educate all our veterans, their families, and the community at large about the plight of veterans and the informational services available for them.”

A Personal Mission

For James, this day holds personal significance. He has been celebrating National Buffalo Soldiers Day for a decade and is deeply committed to telling the stories of lesser-known American heroes—stories that too often go unheard.

“There are many Legion of Honor heroes that no one even knows about,” he said. “We know the popular names like Audie Murphy or John Wayne. However, there’s also Cathay Williams, the first woman to serve in the U.S. Army, disguised as a man. And there’s Doris ‘Dorie’ Miller, a sailor at Pearl Harbor who wasn’t even allowed to touch a weapon—yet he picked one up and shot down enemy planes.”

“These are stories that need to be told,” James said. “Hopefully, somewhere down the line, people will recognize that National Buffalo Soldiers Day deserves to be a holiday.”

Upcoming Event: The National Buffalo Soldiers Day Resource Fair, July 28, 2025, from 3pm to 7pm

Get Involved

The event is open to the public, and there is still time to register, volunteer, or support the mission.

Register or donate: www.vagbsa.org

Email: VeteransActionGroupBSA@gmail.com

Call: 347-302-0407 or 1-888-983-8228

Whether you are a veteran seeking resources, a student fascinated by history, or a neighbor looking to give back, the National Buffalo Soldiers Day Resource Fair is a rare opportunity to connect past to present—and build a more just future.

“It’s very important to come on out and participate in this key educational entertainment,” James concluded.