To Be A Buffalo Soldier; Legendary 'fighting spirit' bridges boys to men in unique program

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Vernon Newton (left) and Ken Pollard of TPWD are two of the leaders for the Bridge Emergency Youth Services that utilize the theme of the legendary Buffalo Soldiers. Below are the young men that attended the recent camp in Austin with leader General John Taylor King. -Staff photos by Taylor

ugust 1, 2002 -- Legend gives two explanations as to the naming of the original African-American Buffalo Soldiers. Some say Indians named the soldiers because they thought their curly hair resembled the buffalo's sacred mane; others believe the Indians were referring to the fighting spirit of the soldiers.

Little did the original Buffalo Soldiers know, but that "fighting spirit" would continue to encourage and empower others for years to come.

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), a statewide youth education and historical interpretation program grew out of this history, and, today, numerous at-risk young men are being helped by programs.

In 1995, the Texas Legislature voted to provide $250,000 per year to fund Buffalo Soldiers projects in five counties: Dallas, Tarrant, Washington, Bexar and Tom Green. The Legislature also proclaimed July as Buffalo Soldier month in Texas, and is the only state to do so, although the original soldiers came from other states, too.

Vernon Newton, program director of The Bridge Emergency Youth Services in Fort Worth, along with seven vans of young men, recently participated in the Dan Kubiak Buffalo Soldiers At Risk Youth Program Encampment held at Huston-Tillotson College in Austin.

Youth from the five counties participated in the program and were recognized at the Cowboys of Color Rodeo held at the Travis County Expo Center on July 13.

Newton explained the program was for boys "at-risk" to themselves ... not to the community. He detailed that 68 percent of the boys they serve, ages 14- through 17 years-old, come from single parent homes, and, usually, where the father is absent from the household.

"History repeats itself," said Newton.

He, along with other counselors, are trying to break the cycle for these boys, so that they have a better life than the generation before them.

"The interesting thing is that you learn the contribution of a certain culture and race of people that, maybe, you wouldn't know, without the program (Buffalo Soldiers)," he said.

The boys enter the program in six-month cycles. During each cycle, the group participates in community activities and two encampments, and studies about the Buffalo Soldiers and how they were able to contribute to the United States, as well as the "taming of the frontier."

Newton said that reading and studying about the soldiers makes the lessons they try to teach mean more and come alive for the boys. It's something they can relate their lives to.

During the school year, "Bridges," as Newton calls the program, offers the boys tutoring, home and school visits by counselors, and help for the family in finding food and home, if needed. There is a concentration on drop-out prevention, too.

"We start out there doing drug and alcohol prevention programs," said Newton.

The program is built around "self" - self-care, self-awareness, self-control, self-respect and self-esteem. The program director said these are some of the same things the original Buffalo soldiers encountered.

While there is some funding from the Legislature, the counties must find other grants and matching funds in order to serve the youth of the counties.

Since 1996, Newton said 607 boys have been through the "Bridges" program, and 96 to 100 percent complete the six-month program and come back for more. Some even return to leadership positions.

Students and faculty at Texas Christian University offer "Tuesday Tutoring" for the boys, and provide meals, friendship and tickets to sporting events, among other things, for the boys.

"We use the peer leadership method, rather than the peer pressure. I get to practice what I teach. Sometimes, as the parent (and counselor) ... I have to make sure my actions are as true as my word," said Newton.

Like the Buffalo Soldiers, the boys visit forts in the areas to see what it was like to have been a soldier in the 1800s, and how they strived to make their lives better, too.

Newton said "everyone has successes as well as hard times." He should know. Seven years ago, he was diagnosed with cancer. He battled back from the illness to become the project director at "Bridges," and has dedicated his life to helping the boys who need him, including his 7-year-old son, Ashten, who accompanied him on the trip to Austin.

Newton said he always learns something at the various trainings, even after attending them several times, and that seeing the boys realized what it's "all about," makes it all worth while for him.

Tarrant County Buffalo Soldiers have made a name for themselves, and through the nurturing, care and love offered at "Bridges," Newton expects to see great things as his young men continue to graduate from the program.