Buffalo Soldiers

Every year during February we present the Buffalo Soldiers Award to outstanding African-American veterans who live in Rockland County. A “Buffalo Soldier” is the nickname first given to members of African-American cavalry regiments of the U.S. Army who served in the western United States from 1867 to 1896, noted for their courage and discipline.

Last week I had the honor and privilege of presenting the 2023 Buffalo Soldiers Award to two remarkable individuals, Staff Sgt. Sherlie Louis and Army Veteran Lee Edward Burns, Sr.

Staff Sgt. Sherlie Louis is an Aerospace Medical Services Craftsman in the 109th Medical Group of the Air National Guard.

Staff Sgt. Louis joined the Air Force in 2012 to make a difference and give back to her community and her country. As she serves, she is also working towards becoming a registered nurse, to continue that pledge to her family, friends, and neighbors.

Our next honoree is Army Veteran Lee Edward Burns, Sr. who served in the army from 1962 through 1965. After completing his service in the army, he then joined the New York State Army National Guard where he worked for over 30 years.

On top of the brave choice to help our nation, Burns dedicated his life to serving his community through his local church as an associate minister for nearly 40 years. He is also a member of the Rockland County Minister’s Alliance and Baptist Ministers’ Evening Conference of Greater New York, all with one purpose… to make the world a more equitable place for his community, county, and country.

It takes a certain kind of person to put your own life on hold to put your country first, but both awardees did it without hesitation. Their sacrifice is why we get to enjoy the freedoms we have today.

For that, we are incredibly proud to add their names to the list of Rockland County Buffalo Soldiers recognized over the past 25 years. On behalf of the people of Rockland I thank them for their service to our country and county.