The Last Remaining Buffalo Soldier Laid to Rest
A Life of Service and Humility
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The last remaining Buffalo Soldier, Rev. Robert Dixon, was laid to rest on Monday at Metropolitan New Testament Mission Baptist Church in Albany. Rev. Dixon passed away last week at the age of 103.
A Brief History of the Buffalo Soldiers
Buffalo Soldiers were an all-Black cavalry regiment that served at West Point after the Civil War. Rev. Dixon grew up in New York City and enlisted in the army in 1941. He served in the military for five years and earned several honors later in life, but he never sought out the spotlight.
A Life of Service and Community
Rev. Dixon continued serving his community after leaving the military. He fought against racial injustice and established the Albany Police Review Board. He was also a longtime pastor of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church. His family and friends remember him as a humble and private individual who didn’t seek to draw attention to himself.
A Tribute to Rev. Dixon
"He wasn’t one to talk about himself," said a family member. "The one thing I’ll say is these four words came to mind: God, family, community and self. And if you think about it, it’s not just the words, it’s the order of the words. So he didn’t think about himself. We were shocked. We knew he went to West Point, but I did not know he was a Buffalo Soldier until probably in his 90s because he never talked about it. And it wasn’t about what he did. He did what he did, but he didn’t need to talk about it."
Conclusion
Rev. Robert Dixon’s life was a testament to the power of service, humility, and community. His legacy will be remembered and honored by those who knew him and the community he served. He will be deeply missed, but his impact will not be forgotten.
FAQs
Q: What were the Buffalo Soldiers?
A: The Buffalo Soldiers were an all-Black cavalry regiment that served at West Point after the Civil War.
Q: How old was Rev. Robert Dixon when he passed away?
A: Rev. Dixon was 103 years old when he passed away.
Q: What were some of Rev. Dixon’s achievements?
A: Rev. Dixon fought against racial injustice, established the Albany Police Review Board, and was a longtime pastor of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church.
Q: What was Rev. Dixon’s personality like?
A: Rev. Dixon was known to be humble and private, never seeking to draw attention to himself.
