Скачать или смотреть 2 20 14 Buffalo Soldier Road Name Change Ceremony

EL PASO TIMES 2-19-14 FORT BLISS
REPORTER David Burge -- Fort Bliss wants to give a lasting, fitting tribute to the Buffalo Soldiers, a group of African-American soldiers who were instrumental in protecting settlers as they moved West after the Civil War.

But to do so, the installation will remove the name of one of America's most famous generals from a major street that runs through part of the post.

On Thursday, Fort Bliss officials will hold a ceremony to change the name of Robert E. Lee Road, which provides access to the southern part of the post, to Buffalo Soldier Road. Last fall, the name of the gate on that same road was changed to Buffalo Soldier Gate and officials announced plans to change the name of the street as well.

Bob Snead is an El Paso artist who served in the Army for 30 years. The Buffalo Soldier statue that's already at Fort Bliss was modeled after his painting, "The Errand of Cpl. Ross."

Snead said this part of Fort Bliss was the area where African-American troops were quartered before the Army was integrated.

"I think it's about time," Snead said about the name change. END