Fort Sill hosts 2nd Buffalo Soldiers Run

LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - An all Black army unit known as The Buffalo Soldiers fought in various battles from 1866 until the end of World War II.

Now, years later, Fort Sill army base shed light onto their history by renaming the three-mile track in the unit’s honor.

“If it wasn’t for the buffalo soldiers dominating on a daily basis, if they didn’t gain the trust of their leaders, and our politicians, they wouldn’t have gone, you know stepped their neck out and done those executive orders and acts that changed the landscape of the country,” said Brigade Commander, Tony Dedmond.

Dedmond has been in the army for 26 years, he said this is the perfect opportunity for the community to learn about the unit’s honorable services.

“No historical significance, before they took on this endeavor,” he said. “Now as people are exercising on a daily basis, they have the ability to get implicated with the history of the buffalo soldiers and the history of our institution,” Dedmond said.

The Buffalo Soldiers were often assigned missions that took them into hostile territory. Dedmond said their daily risks opened doors for not only men, but everyone.

“The accomplishments of the Buffalo Soldiers also helped, literally, also helped the integration of women into the force,” Dedmond said.

The track has been at the base for over a decade, but now it has a new meaning.

“There’s always going to be a new group of young officers, young soldiers that are going to get on the trail for the first time and their leadership will have the opportunity to use that as a leader professional development,” Dedmond said.

Participants walked, jogged, or ran throughout the race while following different historical markers featuring information on the Buffalo Soldier’s history.

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