Three African American veterans honored during Buffalo Soldier ceremony

Three African American veterans were honored recently during Rockland County’s annual Buffalo Soldiers Award ceremony.

The 2024 Buffalo Soldiers Award was presented to Army veterans James Epps and Grady Anderson Jr. 

George Crouch, a World War II and Korean War veteran, was presented with an Unsung Hero Award by the Buffalo Soldiers of Rockland County.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day presented a Buffalo Soldier Award to James Epps. Photo: Rockland County

Epps joined the Army in 1953 and was stationed in Germany, where he served as a machine gunner until September 1956, when he was honorably discharged. His service to the community includes delivering meals to senior citizens with the Prince Hall Freemasonry Tappan Zee Lodge No. 79, where he has been a member since 1975.

Anderson joined the Army in 1959 and served in Germany. Upon his discharge in 1963, he returned to Spring Valley. On top of a career as an X-ray technician, he has been a member and past commander of Moscarella Post 199, member of VVA 333, and member and past chef de gare of the 40&8.

Anderson also served as oratorical chairperson for Rockland County American Legion. He received the Buffalo Soldier Award in 1993 and was co-founder and historian of Buffalo Soldier awardees and presents that history every year at the event. He is a 60-year member of First Baptist Church of Spring Valley, where he is also deacon.

The nickname Buffalo Soldier was 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.

The awards were presented by County Executive Ed Day and Susan Branam, director of the Rockland County Veterans Service Agency during a Feb. 14 ceremony at the Rockland County Fire Training Center.

Branam and Day also received honorary membership to the Buffalo Soldiers of Rockland County for encouraging the wellbeing of veterans and soldiers.

George Crouch (center), a World War II and Korean War veteran, was presented with an Unsung Hero Award by the Buffalo Soldiers of Rockland County by Susan Branam, director of the Rockland County Veterans Service Agency (left). Photo: Rockland County

“It takes a certain kind of person to place your own life on hold to put your country first but both awardees did it without hesitation,” Day stated. “There’s no question, the freedoms we enjoy today would not be possible without the men and women who make the brave choice to serve our nation, including these local heroes, and it is my pleasure to recognize their courage.”

Robert Brum is a freelance journalist who writes about the Hudson Valley. Visit robertbrum.com to read his work.