Members of the Meridian chapter of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club took time to honor their namesake Sunday as they observed National Buffalo Soldiers Day.

Following the Civil War, the United States Congress in 1866 created six regiments of all-Black soldiers, including the 9th and 10th Calvary Regiments and the 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st Infantry Regiments, according to a news release from the U.S. Army recognizing National Buffalo Soldiers Day. The four infantry regiments combined to make two regiments, the 24th and 25th, three years later.

The all-Black regiments were pivotal in westward expansion, taking on tasks such as building roads, laying telegraph lines, providing postal service, protecting settlers and livestock and more. The soldiers were also involved in more than 170 conflicts with Native Americans, who gave the troops the name of Buffalo Soldiers for their tenacity, the U.S. Army states.

Chapter Secretary Terrance “Rasta” Roberts said the history of Black soldiers is inseparable from American history as Black troops fought in many of the nation’s conflicts. In many instances, he said, Black soldiers fought for both their country and their race.

Throughout their existence, the Buffalo Soldier regiments fought in an array of conflicts including the Spanish-American War, Philippine Insurrection, Mexican Expedition, World War I, World War II and the Korean War, the U.S. Army states. Eighteen Medals of Honor were awarded to soldiers in the all-Black regiments.

Gathering at Chunky River Harley Davidson Sunday, Meridian chapter riders traveled to Odd Fellow Cemetery on 10th Avenue to lay a wreath at the grave of Buffalo Soldier Pvt. Earnest Brock. A native of Meridian, Brock served in the 9th Calvary from 1917 to 1919.

Black soldiers were not allowed to serve in the European theater during World War I, Roberts said, so Brock served his time in the military in the Philippines. After his service, Brock returned to Meridian where he resumed his original job as a chauffeur, he said.

In 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order desegregating the military and ending the practice of all-Black regiments, but the story of the Buffalo Soldiers and the impact they had, not only on racial integration but the foundation of America, continues through the Buffalo Solider riders today.

Meridian chapter President Vernon “Pacemaker” Eichelberger said the modern day Buffalo Soldiers don’t ride horses anymore, but they try to honor the memory of the Black soldiers and their legacy.

“The 9th and 10 Cavalry rode horses, we honor them by riding our horses, iron horses…our motorcycles,” he said. “We ride in honor of those brave soldiers.”