I was the S-2 in the 3/10 Cav for a short while at Fort Hood and then they decided not to reactivate them.
Posted on 06/30/2016 12:44:41 PM PDT by SandRat
TOMBSTONE — Nelson Mitchell drew cheers and salutes from spectators lining Tombstone’s Allen Street, as he waved to the crowd from the back of an antique convertible.
Mitchell served as grand marshal for the eighth annual Salute to the Buffalo Soldiers parade on Saturday, a celebration that commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Buffalo Soldiers and honored Mitchell, the last African American survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
“He’s a celebrity,” said Charles Hancock, president of the Southwest Association of Buffalo Soldiers, an organization based out of Sierra Vista. “He was clearly the star attraction for today’s ceremony and parade. I’ve been participating in this event since 2010, and he’s one of the biggest attractions we’ve had so far.”
While sitting in the parade lineup before starting down Allen Street, a steady stream of people filed past the 1919 Nash convertible carrying Mitchell, who was accompanied by his 4-year-old great-granddaughter, MacKenzie, and son, Lynwood.
“It was truly an honor to be here in this town and have all these people come up and shake my father’s hand and thank him for his service” said Lynwood. “My father was deeply honored and so were we as a family.”
Mitchell joined the Navy in 1940 and was assigned to the U.S.S. Jarvis, a destroyer that was stationed at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The destroyer, which was not hit in the attack, was able to get out to sea where it patrolled the Hawaiian coast for two weeks following the bombing. Mitchell left the Navy in 1948 and in 1950 moved to Phoenix where he lives today.
Wearing a U.S.S. Jarvis DD-393 cap for Saturday’s parade, Mitchell, 96, said when he thinks about how few World War II veterans are left today, he feels “very, very lucky.”
“All these people come up to me and say it’s an honor to meet me, but I’m honored to be here,” said Mitchell.
As part of Tombstone’s celebration, Mitchell was presented with the key to the city by Mayor Dusty Escapule and with a statue of a Buffalo Soldier by Hancock, who declared the World War II veteran as “an honorary Buffalo Soldier.”
The parade drew Buffalo Soldier chapter members from all over Arizona, as well as a large group from California.
“As an organization, the Buffalo Soldiers have great representation here today,” said Elijah Powers, who is a member of a motorcycle chapter out of Los Angeles. “I’m glad to see that, especially with Nelson Mitchell here.”
Another member of the organization’s motorcycle group, Tracy Howard, also from California, said, “It’s an honor to meet a true American hero like Nelson Mitchell. He’s truly an amazing person.”
Tombstone business owner and one of the event’s organizers, Steve Goldstein, organized the parade lineup and spacing. After the last parade entry went down the street, Goldstein said he was pleased the town’s tribute included someone of Mitchell’s caliber.
“It was such an honor to have Nelson Mitchell here for this event, especially since it’s the 150th anniversary for the Buffalo Soldiers,” he said. “He epitomizes what the American way is all about; people coming together to defend our way of life. For him to come from Phoenix to participate in our event here in Tombstone is an honor.”
Sponsored by the Wild West Detachment, Marine Corps League of Tombstone, the town’s annual Salute to the Buffalo Soldiers continues today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wasn’t a victim of the Bombing...., so was riding a buffalo?
I was the S-2 in the 3/10 Cav for a short while at Fort Hood and then they decided not to reactivate them.
In many ways they still live out her in Arizona.
I went to AIT at Fort Huachuca.
copy cat
It’s the same, but different.
A lot like Reese’s crunchy peanut butter Cups.
The same, but Different.
The “gay” flag added to the video would probably make the Buffalio Soldiers puke.
I think its some type of Blackness Flag.Not sure zackly.
Juan Williams(the 5) had on a tie last eve same colors,Gutfeld commented on it
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