The monument — a 10-foot-tall bronze statue depicting a Buffalo Soldier on a horse — has already been installed at the military academy, but will not be officially unveiled until a ceremony on September 10.
“These Soldiers embodied the West Point motto of Duty, Honor, Country and ideals of the Army Ethic,” said US Military Academy 60th Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams in a statement. “This monument will ensure that the legacy of Buffalo Soldiers is enduringly revered, honored and celebrated while serving as an inspiration for the next generations of cadets.”
The reason why the monument, created by sculptor Eddie Dixon, depicts a trooper on a horse is to show the level of “horsemanship expertise that was provided to future Army officers,” the academy said.
The monument will also be the first outdoor statue of a Black man at West Point. The news of its unveiling comes as statues of Confederate soldiers or politicians with racist histories are coming down in other parts of the country.
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