Junior 'Buffalo Soldiers' to Lay Wreath at National Cemetary

A Centreville group dedicated to the memory of former slaves who filled the ranks of the Buffalo Soldier regiments, will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony on June 25 at Arlington National Cemetery.

The ceremony is meant to honor both the Buffalo Soldiers—the all-African American 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments who served on the post-Civil War frontier—and the freed slaves who fought on the side of the Union, said Keith Jarman, head of the Junior Buffalo Soldiers & the Rough Riders Association.

“It’s our nation’s most sacred ground and we’re all very excited about it,” said Jarman, a retired Army sergeant major. “It will be a very emotional ceremony—I don’t know how I will keep from crying.”

The ceremony is also meant to commemorate Juneteenth, the oldest known Black History celebration in the nation. The Juneteenth holiday marks June 19, 1865, the day that slaves in Galveston, Texas were told of the 1863 signing of Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln.

Jarman founded the group in 2006 at . The group has about 60 members, both adults and kids, and follows the Boy Scout tradition in offering role models for youth. They also work very hard to make sure that the contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers are never forgotten, Jarman said.

“We see this as a positive effort and part of our outreach,” Jarman said. “When we go to schools, the kids are especially interested in the Buffalo Soldiers and want to hear all about them. The question-and-answer sessions are the longest part of our presentation.”

The junior members, who will be in uniform and part of the cemetery presentation, are held to high standards and are expected to know about Buffalo Soldier Legacy.

Robbie Wigington, a seventh grader, said he was reluctant to join the group at first, but was won over with the stories of the soldiers' military exploits. 

“It was cool to learn about the black troops in the military,” said Robbie, 11. “After that, I got into the program and just went with it.” 

The best thing about the program is his fellow troopers, he said. “We are all good friends and we are always laughing in the car together and having a good time.” 

The event, at 4 p.m. at the cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknowns, is also being filmed by the local PBS station for broadcast later this year.

“We are trying to give our kids positive role models in the community,” Jarman said. “They tell us that rappers make lots of money and we try to show them that vice-presidents (of companies) make a lot of money too.”