The history of African American troops serving in our national parks is rich and complex. They essentially worked as some of the first park rangers! For over 25 years, I’ve been researching and communicating the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers in Yosemite, Sequoia, and the Presidio of San Francisco. July 28, Buffalo Soldiers Day, is a day to pull away from the view that has dominated my working life for over 25 years, because there’s so much more to this story than Sequoia and Yosemite. In Alaska in 1899, during the Klondike Goldrush, 24th Infantry troops, Buffalo Soldiers, had the unenviable duty of serving as peacekeepers among the gold miners. Sam Steele of the North-West Mounted Police described early Skagway as “little better than a hell on earth” and “about the roughest place in the world.” So, who gets sent to enforce rules and regulations in Hell? Well, the Buffalo Soldiers, of course. In 1910, Glacier National Park was created, but it was also the year of the infamous “Big Burn,” which is the largest forest fire in U.S. history. So, who gets sent to put out fires in Hell? Well, the Buffalo Soldiers of course. In Hawai’i, beginning in 1915, 25th Infantry troops, Buffalo Soldiers, served as trail builders in the construction of the trail to the top of Mauna Loa, Long Mountain, which lies within the boundaries of Hawai’i Volcanos National Park. So, who gets sent to build a trail to the top of the most massive mountain on earth in one of the most beautiful places in the world? Well, surprisingly, the Buffalo Soldiers of course! So today, let’s all take a moment to recognize the accomplishments made in our national parks by the 9th Regiment of Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Regiments of Infantry. Troops who not only served the United States of America in times of peace and in war, but who also were at the forefront in the communication of a new idea that has become known as America’s Best Idea. -- Shelton Johnson, Yosemite Park Ranger #YosemiteNationalPark #BuffaloSoliders #FirstRangers