The Texas Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Medal. Official Frontier Edition July 2026
The Texas Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Medal. Official Frontier Edition July 2026
July 2026
Commemorating Four Historic Milestones. One Enduring Legacy.
Some medals commemorate a battle.
Some commemorate a person.
Others commemorate a single moment in history.
The Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Medal does something far more ambitious.
It tells 160 years of American history in a single work of art.
Commissioned by Pastor Kyev P. Tatum, Sr., Chaplain of the Texas Buffalo Soldiers Association, and inspired by the timeless tradition of the Congressional Gold Medal, this Frontier Edition was created to preserve history through art while honoring the courage, sacrifice, and faithful service of the Buffalo Soldiers and the generations of Black military veterans who followed.
Rather than commemorating a single event, this medal unites four extraordinary milestones into one enduring design:
- America250 (1776–2026) — Celebrating 250 years of the United States of America.
- 160th Anniversary of the Buffalo Soldiers (1866–2026) — Honoring the six African American Army regiments established by Congress on July 28, 1866.
- Texas Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Month (July 2026) — Recognizing the State of Texas’ official observance established by the Legislature in 1999.
- The First Official Buffalo Soldiers Day in the History of Haltom City (July 28, 2026) — Celebrating the City of Haltom City’s historic proclamation recognizing the Buffalo Soldiers and preserving Black military history.
Together, these four milestones tell one continuous story that stretches from the founding of the Nation to the present day.
The Obverse (Front)
The Living Legacy
The front of the medal represents the living legacy of service.
At its center stands a Buffalo Soldier looking toward the horizon rather than directly at the viewer. His gaze symbolizes vision, courage, leadership, perseverance, and hope. He intentionally looks toward tomorrow, reminding us that the Buffalo Soldiers were not only defenders of the American frontier but pioneers whose legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Behind him proudly flies the Texas Flag, recognizing the State of Texas and its enduring connection to Buffalo Soldier history. Texas officially honors that legacy each July through Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Month, making the Lone Star State an essential part of this story.
Standing beside him is a member of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—the “Six Triple Eight.” Her presence creates a visual bridge between the Buffalo Soldiers and the generations of African American men and women whose faithful military service continued through World War II and beyond.
Behind the central figure stand additional soldiers representing the passing of the torch from one generation to the next.
Across the center of the medal appear four timeless virtues:
Honor • Courage • Duty • Legacy
These are more than words.
They define the Buffalo Soldier experience.
At the bottom appears the inscription:
“They Served With Honor. We Remember With Gratitude.”
It is both a tribute to the past and a challenge to the present.
Nestled quietly within the lower portion of the medal is one of its most meaningful features: a miniature rendering of People’s Memorial Legacy Park, including the Togetherness Tree and memorial. It is intentionally small and completely contained within the medal’s border, almost hidden from immediate notice.
Like the stories preserved within the cemetery itself, this subtle detail invites careful observation and reminds us that some of history’s greatest treasures are quietly waiting to be discovered.
The Reverse (Back)
The Progress of History
The reverse presents The Progress of History.
Unlike traditional commemorative medals that merely list dates, this design illustrates a chronological journey.
The upper portion honors the founding of the Buffalo Soldiers with the outline of Texas, the Texas State Capitol, mounted cavalry, the Buffalo Soldiers seal, and the inscription:
July 28, 1866
Six African American Regiments Established by Congress
These elements recognize the six original regiments established by Congress:
- 9th Cavalry Regiment
- 10th Cavalry Regiment
- 38th Infantry Regiment
- 39th Infantry Regiment
- 40th Infantry Regiment
- 41st Infantry Regiment
Across the upper rim appear the words:
Honoring Their Service • Preserving Our History • Inspiring Our Future
These words define the mission of the medal itself.
The lower portion presents four milestone panels arranged from left to right so history unfolds in chronological order.
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↓
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Rather than ending with a government building, the final panel features a buffalo, the official mascot of the City of Haltom City.
Without saying a word, the buffalo symbolizes the City’s embrace of the Buffalo Soldiers’ legacy and its commitment to preserving that history for future generations.
Beneath the panels appears the inscription:
“Recognizing Four Historic Milestones That Honor Our Past and Build Our Future.”
This sentence captures the spirit of the entire medal.
Hidden Meanings
Like America’s finest commemorative medals, this Frontier Edition contains subtle symbolism rewarding those who study it closely.
The circular shape represents eternity, reminding us that honorable service never ends.
The laurel branches symbolize victory earned through sacrifice.
The bronze finish reflects the timeless character of military memorials.
The buffalo appears on both sides of the medal, reinforcing themes of resilience, endurance, protection, and faithful service.
The progression of the four milestone panels demonstrates that history is not static—it grows through the actions of each generation.
The inclusion of People’s Memorial Legacy Park serves as a quiet reminder that history often rests in sacred places waiting to be rediscovered.
The Commission
As Chaplain of the Texas Buffalo Soldiers Association and through his leadership of the Digging for Dignity Legacy Project, Pastor Kyev P. Tatum, Sr. envisioned a commemorative medal that would do far more than celebrate an anniversary.
He envisioned a medal that would preserve the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers, honor generations of Black military veterans, recognize the national significance of People’s Memorial Legacy Park, and inspire future generations to become faithful stewards of American history.
The Frontier Edition also commemorates the historic partnership between:
- Texas Buffalo Soldiers Association
- City of Haltom City
- New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- JustServe
- Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas
- Digging for Dignity Legacy Project
Together, these organizations and hundreds of volunteers have demonstrated that preserving history is a shared responsibility. Through their partnership, historic cemeteries have been restored, forgotten veterans have been honored, families have been reunited with their ancestors, and future generations have been inspired to preserve America’s rich military and cultural heritage.
Their collaboration stands as a model of what can be accomplished when faith communities, civic leaders, veterans organizations, volunteers, and local government work together to preserve the stories that define our Nation.
A Medal That Carries History
This is more than a commemorative medal.
It is a visual history of America.
It honors soldiers who defended freedom.
Texans who chose to preserve their story.
A city that officially recognized their legacy.
A community dedicated to restoring the dignity of those who came before us.
More than a collectible, this medal is intended to become a family heirloom—a tangible reminder that history is not only recorded in books and monuments, but also carried in the hands and hearts of those who choose to remember.
As America commemorates its 250th Anniversary, the Buffalo Soldiers celebrate 160 years of faithful service, Texas observes Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Month, and Haltom City marks its first official Buffalo Soldiers Day, this Frontier Edition stands as a permanent reminder that the American story is strongest when every chapter is remembered.
The Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Medal is dedicated not only to those who served our Nation, but also to those who continue to serve history by preserving their memory.
Commissioned by
Frontier Edition Edge Inscription
FRONTIER EDITION • JULY 2026 • COMMISSIONED BY PASTOR KYEV P. TATUM, SR., CHAPLAIN • TEXAS BUFFALO SOLDIERS ASSOCIATION
“They Served With Honor. We Remember With Gratitude.”
Honor Their Service. Preserve Their History. Inspire Our Future.
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