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| no partners | | Over a year ago my wanderings led me to a neglected cemetery. Research revealed that this was a resting place for some of the 10th cavalry buffalo soldiers. It was thought they died in the great flu epidemic around 1917. They would be part of an attachment that patrolled the border. In those days raiding Yaquis' stole cattle and of course bandits went back and forth depending on who was chasing them. I am assuming some historians' from Ft Huachuca were involved some years back in some restoration of the graves ( some were opened by grave robbers). However now the desolate place with piles of rocks, and trees and bushes growing out of the graves.
I contacted the local Buffalo Soldier association and some back and forth, and we never got together. In fairness mostly my schedule not theirs'. I wanted to do something for these young men that served our country. So I did.
I want to thank Brian for his help and expertise on mounting the plaques in such a way to secure them with the least damage to the mature mesquites. I was happy to see an American Flag up at the site when we arrived; it was touching the ground which is a no no so we remounted and secured. We camped out to get an early start since we were packing in drills etc. I think it went well then after the work we had the ceremony. I wrote something up to read for the occasion channeling a soldiers' point of view--
"I feel no more the sun on my face, see the rise of the moon, the frost on the grass, the cold of the ground I slept on. I do not grasp the rough reins, feel the pull of my horse, lean back in the saddle in the hot winds. I do not think of the land I view, the endless day and nights, the moments of camaraderie with other soldiers, miss my mother, or feel the fear of the stranger or enemy I confront. I transcend all of that. My bones in this lost land, my soul in another realm. I have the ultimate freedom that will be granted to us all in due time. " |
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