+ Small World

with President: John JR Bruce, Alexander/Madison Chapter of Greater Kansas City Area Buffalo Soldiers

I was having lunch at Fort Leavenworth a couple of weeks ago and just happened to be standing in the buffet line behind a man dressed in Buffalo Soldier uniform and regalia. He was an officer of a local chapter.

We talked about the organization and it turns out my connection to the Buffalo Soldier lineage is being an alumnus of the 399th Army Band. So, I took his card and was to get a membership application form.

The Buffalo Soldier stopped by the Lamp newspaper office with the membership form just before lunch as we previously arranged. I completed the form. The chapter president, whom he brought with him, signed and approved my membership on the spot.

– – –

So, I’m officially a member of the Alexander/Madison Chapter of Greater Kansas City Area Buffalo Soldiers. We do community service projects. I’m not sure about the uniforms yet.

And, as it turns out, the Chapter President, John “JR” Bruce, is a cousin and veteran of the Vietnam conflict (who was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor).

Small world.

Buffalo Soldiers!

Listen to “Buffalo Soldiers”
by James Kimo Williams
(Wikipedia page / CD Baby Store)