On Wednesday, Governor Doug Ducey signed HB 2470 to extend the deadline for donations to the Buffalo Soldiers Memorial. The bill extends the deadline from Oct. 1, 2021 to Oct. 1, 2025 for donations to establish a memorial commemorating the Buffalo Soldiers of the Arizona Territory.
During the Mexican Revolution, the Fort Huachuca Buffalo Soldiers helped to guard Arizona borders in Camp Naco, Arizona, Camp Little in Nogales, and other locations throughout the state.
At the time of the bill passage, the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Regiment organization had raised $92,205 of its $650,000 goal on GoFundMe.
“Thank you Governor Ducey for signing legislation to extend the deadline for donating to the Buffalo Soldiers Memorial,” said Rep. Richard Andrade. “Buffalo Soldiers are heroes whose service to Arizona deserves to be remembered and honored. Due to COVID-19, the organization was unable to raise the money for the memorial and this extension ensures that fundraising efforts will be successful.”
The Buffalo Soldiers were a group of African American soldiers serving on the Western frontier beginning in 1866. The first Buffalo Soldiers arrived in Arizona at Fort Huachuca in the 1890s and distinguished themselves in the Spanish-American War.