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The National Association of Buffalo Soldiers & Troopers Motorcycle Clubs
(NABSTMC) staged a ride organized by Tom "TC" Costley to Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas in July 2004. The event, titled RETRACE 2004, was
created to honor the history of the Troopers of the 9th and 10th Calvary
units. Officially constituted July 28th, 1866 in the Regular Army, these
African-American Cavalry Troop units served with distinction and
demonstrated their fighting skills through many years of faithful duty under
the harshest conditions of the American West. They were known with fear and
respect and labeled Buffalo Soldiers by their one-time Native American
adversaries during the years of the Indian wars in the late 1880s and 1890s.
Bonded by a camaraderie of military service or uniformed civilian service
and affection for large motorcycles, the NABSTMC was created in 1999 to
consolidate the efforts of African-American motorcyclists across the United
States. "We're about supporting our communities" said then National
President Carl "Road Dog" Laury. "Our members thought it was time to display
our National presence and recognize our heritage, which is the idea behind
RETRACE 2004". With so many chapters starting from different states, RETRACE
2004 was a national event. Members took to the road to rendezvous in Kansas
City, Missouri on July 30th. The actual event took place on July 31st with a
mass ride from the staging point at the Kansas City International Expo
Center to the National Buffalo Soldiers Monument at Fort Leavenworth,
Kansas. The NABSTMC conducted a memorial service honoring the original
Buffalo Soldiers that included a Color Guard and wreath laying ceremony
followed by speakers and presentations honoring special guests. This
organization is currently made up of 79 chapters in 42 states and two in
Canada. All members ride various styles of motorcycles and all support a
local charity as embodied in the purpose of the NABSTMC.
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Buffalo Soldier Cavalry Monument
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
The history of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers & Troopers
Motorcycle Clubs (NABSTMC) began with a dream; in this case, the dream of
Ken 'Dream Maker' Thomas. Believing that it was time to establish a modern
progressive motorcycle club whose focus was to promote a positive image
among Blacks that would be respected in the community and throughout the
country, Thomas founded the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Chicago in
October 1993. The name Buffalo Soldiers was initially selected to pay homage
to and ensure the legacy of African American military contributions in the
post Civil War era. Under the leadership of Ken Thomas, the new club was
chartered as the Buffalo Troopers Motorcycle Club of Chicago. Membership in
the club grew to a total of ninety-two (92) during that first year, making
it the largest Black motorcycle club in Chicago, IL. The clubhouse was
located at 8510 South Ashland Avenue. The clubhouse displayed many items
dedicated to the history and memory of the Buffalo Soldiers such as
pictures, books, statues, and an authentic buffalo head donated by member
Ernie Daurham. In 1996, the club moved from this location to its current
location at 13836 South Indiana Avenue, in Riverdale, Illinois. The club's
popularity grew as members attended the national roundups and rallies held
in various cities in the country. This popularity transformed into interest
of other clubs in affiliation with the Buffalo Troopers M/C of Chicago,
Illinois. Then, Brian Bulow, a former President of the Maryland Chapter, and
now a former Vice President of the NABSTMC saw the Chicago Buffalo Troopers
at the Atlanta Roundup and displayed an interest in starting a chapter. That
interest resulted in the first chapter to wear the "patch" outside of
Chicago, Illinois. Soon afterwards, others showed an interest and started
chapters, the next four being Florida, Delaware, Virginia and New Jersey. In
1999, the clubs collectively formed the NABSTMC which currently consists of
seventy-nine member chapters throughout the United States and internationally
with additional clubs petitioning for membership. All the chapters of the
association determine whether they want to be recognized as "Buffalo
Soldiers or Troopers". However, all the member clubs wear the patch designed
by the Chicago, Illinois chapter and subscribe to the NABSTMC rules,
regulations, and by-laws. The NABSTMC is now an active participant in
numerous charitable functions including supporting senior citizen homes,
student scholarships and food and fund drives for charitable organizations,
i.e. The March of Dimes and Toys for Tots. The NABSTMC has also taken the
responsibility of mentors to area youth and educational programs, which
share enlightenment of the heritage that African-Americans have played in
the United States. We are also actively involved in recognizing the
accomplishments and sacrifices of the Tuskegee Airmen. NABSTMC encourage a
positive image and behavior of our members and affiliates. We believe that
we are role models and share a responsibility and a positive value system to
our respective communities. The member chapters do not discriminate against
race, religion, gender or ethnic origin. We are an organization majority
comprised of minority members and accept those who share our values and
support our cause.
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The Buffalo Soldiers logo and scoley is the registered trademark® of the NABSTMC. Permission to use this image must be granted by Ken Thomas.
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