Hillsborough County honors Veterans who served during segregation with new monument at Veterans Memorial park
Veteran Community Services and Hillsborough County leaders unveiled a new Buffalo Soldiers Monument at Veterans Memorial Park & Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Veterans Museum.
Many Veterans attended the ceremony, which honored their service and dedication to the nation. In 1866, Congress authorized the creation of all-Black segregated units in the U.S. Army. Native American tribes later named these troops "Buffalo Soldiers," inspired by the strength and resilience of the Plains buffalo. These units protected mail routes, managed national parks, built infrastructure after the Civil War, and served in military operations, including providing border security.
In 1898, Buffalo Soldiers camped on the outskirts of Tampa Heights while preparing for deployment to Cuba during the Spanish-American War. The units were ultimately disbanded in the 1950s following President Harry Truman's order to integrate the military. In 1992, President George H. W. Bush established National Buffalo Soldiers Day, July 28, to recognize the contributions of these distinguished Army regiments.
The Veteran Community Services department invites everyone to visit Veterans Memorial Park to see the new monument and explore all the park has to offer. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. A park map is available on the park's webpage.