U.S. Military Academy soldiers and civilians joined retirees of the former 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments in a ceremony Sunday at their namesake Buffalo Soldier Field.

The Buffalo Soldiers -- horsemen of those venerable units with histories dating back to 1866 -- served important roles here from 1907 to 1946 and have now met 39 times for this annual Buffalo Soldier memorial and reunion.

The ceremony’s guest speaker, Col. Janice E. Hudley, an instructor in the USMA Department of English said, "This event goes a long way to help the academy remember the contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers -- not only to the academy, but to the overall development of the Armed Forces, especially the Army.

"They were really the backbone of the peacetime military after the Civil War," she said. "They were essential to the training of cadets in soldierly skills, and they were the backbone of the academy for almost 40 years.

"It’s important that we not forget that."

Sanders Mathews, the local "Buffalo Soldier Reunion at West Point" chapter president, said the soldiers cherish their memories of their time at West Point.

This was far from the only thing the 9th and 10th Regiments were involved with during their 80 years.

Old tales indicate these regiments of black soldiers were given their distinct nickname by the American Indians they fought on the western frontier because their hair was similar to buffalo fur.

Another story says, "The Comanches respected the soldiers and named them after the rugged and revered buffalo because of their tireless marching and trail skills."

The Buffalo Soldiers served with distinction across the frontier and in many engagements and wars.

They clashed with Indians during the U.S.’s western expansion, fought alongside Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders during the Spanish American War and enforced neutrality laws along the Mexican border.

They battled Pancho Villa and served four tours in the Philippine Islands.

Buffalo Soldiers also supplied U.S. forces with new officers during World War I -- before the departure of mounted cavalry from the military after World War II -- and earned a total of 16 Medals of Honor.

West Point’s last Buffalo Soldier commander, Ret. Col. John Nezzaro, said his time here was the most memorable in his career.

"Each year during this ceremony I see old friends and soldiers," he said, "it feels like I’m home again. I’m very proud to have been part of USMA’s cavalry attachment and a Buffalo Soldier."