WE CAN, WE WILL !
ABOUT US
Bill and Sheryl McCurtis and Dr. Lawrence Jeff Gaskin joined the AZ. 10th Cavalry in 1994. In researching information on the 10th Cavalry, they repeatedly came across references about the 9th Cavalry. They looked deeper into the history, become extremely interested, left the 10th Cavalry, and founded the 9th Memorial Cavalry.
The main purpose of this organization was, and is, to learn all we can about these men and the people they were associated with. Our main goal: get this knowledge to the general public and bring attention to the courage, sacrifice, bravery, loyalty, and devotion to duty of these men, and to teach our children about those who struggled, bled, and died to bring civilization to our western frontier - the true history of the West.
Initially quite a few people joined, but, after discovering this was not just "fun and games", many quickly left. They found out it takes dedicated people with the drive to see this through. It is now 2001 and we have come a long way in a relatively short time. We count 35 members in our organization as of this writing.
Our membership is privileged to include several celebrities - Harry Carey, Jr., Rex Allen, Jr., Buck Taylor, and Herb Jefferies, "the Bronze Buckaroo". Deceased members include Ben Johnson, Rex Allen, Dale Evans (Rogers), and Roy Rogers. We have met these wonderful supportive people through our activities as the 9th Memorial Cavalry.
September of 2009 will see us doing a once-in-a-lifetime event - The Journey Home II. The 9th United States Cavalry was formed in New Orleans, Louisiana, in August 1866, lead by Colonel Edward Hatch. They were among the first complete regiments to be called to war on a foreign shore. Again they served with distinction and honor, helping to establish the United States of America as a world power.
After one hundred and thirty four plus years of prejudice, hard-core racism, and successful attempts to conceal their excellent service and devotion to their flag and country, the 9th Memorial Cavalry, as inheritors of their legacy, are bringing their exemplary record to light.
It is the desire of the 9th Memorial Cavalry to take a copy of the Regimental flag along with a chest bearing soil from the final resting-places of members of the 9th U.S. Cavalry home to the birthplace of the regiment - New Orleans, Louisiana. This will be done on horseback - 2200 plus miles and will take approximately 3 1/2 months. So far, 167 soil samples have been collected. Watch and listen for us.
Here is a chronicle of Journey Home I
The "Journey Home Commemorative Sharps Rifle" is NOW AVAILABLE from Investment Arms! CLICK HERE for information!
Our motto is the one originally adopted by the 9th:
WE CAN, WE WILL !!!
The melody you heard playing at the opening page of this site is called "The Monkey Married The Baboon's Sister," and is the traditional song of the 9th Cavalry. It's origins are unknown, but old-timers with the regiment say that "it was brought into the regiment by a recruit from the South."
This version, and the information above, was found in the book "Sound Off," by Edward Arthur Dolph, published in 1929.
The piano arrangement by Joe Bethancourt replicates the probable sound of a parlor piano as played by a soldier's wife "back in the old days."
THE MONKEY MARRIED THE BABOON'S SISTER
The monkey married the baboon's sister
Smacked his lips and then he kissed her
Kissed so hard he raised a blister
But it soon got well
CHORUS: Hi Hi Hi Hi
Hi Hi Hi Hi
But it soon got well
Then she put on some court-plaster
Stuck so hard it couldn't stick faster
Surely was a great disaster
But it soon got well
The monkey loved the baboon's sister
Smacked his lips and then he kissed her
Kissed her so hard he raised a blister
And she set up a yell
Officially, we are HQ. TROOP, 9th MEMORIAL CAVALRY.
We are committed to teaching the history of the BUFFALO SOLDIERS in general and the 9th U.S.Cavalry in particular.
Our goals are firmly set in reaching the young minds and hearts of our youth and educating the general public on the sacrifice and courage of what is considered, even today in military circles, as one of the finest and most dedicated fighting units in the history of this country; they just happen to be black. These Officers and Men of the 9th U.S. Cavalry fought to make the civilian population of the west secure in their quest for places of their own and to realize their peace and security did NOT come cheap.
The men of the 9th were never heard, much less acknowledged or recognized. We as descendents and beneficiaries of this outstanding legacy have a duty to insure these men get the recognition they deserve and finally to take their rightful places in the written and visual history of our country. We now have a solid base to build on. We are becoming firm in our knowledge of not only the men we represent, but also in recognizing other races that helped and / or served with them.
We are also attempting to reestablish the bond our ancestors had built with Native Americans. At one time our two races coexisted with little or no problems, so many of our ideas, habits and beliefs were similar. Our children played together; our men hunted and fought side by side. If we hadn't been forced to fight each other, that bond would have never been weakened. You will notice I said "weakened," because it has never been completely destroyed. Therefore, we, as an organization, must always work toward re-strengthening that bond.
When we don uniforms or period dress, we have a duty and responsibility to represent these people in the best we possibly can and continue to make the name "BUFFALO SOLDIERS" a household word: wear the titles of storekeeper, muleskinner, school-teacher, marshal, etc., with pride, dignity and respect. So, as your President, let me say; "THANK YOU" for your support and confidence; as Regimental Sergeant Major I say, very proudly, "WE CAN, WE WILL !!!.
- William McCurtis
RSM 9th Mem. Cav.
