Montgomery County Dedicates “The Buffalo Soldiers Great Hall” at the Silver Spring Civic Building

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 27, 2018

The Great Hall at the Silver Spring Civic Building at One Veterans Plaza was officially renamed The Buffalo Soldiers Great Hall at a ceremony held Tuesday, February 27, 2018.

“It is an honor to dedicate this Great Hall at the Silver Spring Civic Building after the Buffalo Soldiers as we pay tribute to their important contributions to our nation and recognize the difficulties they faced in service and when they returned home,” said Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett.

Leggett was joined at the ceremony by other local leaders, including Maryland State Senator William C. Smith Jr., Montgomery County Council President Hans Riemer, County officials and community representatives.

“Despite enduring discrimination and injustice, Buffalo Soldiers served our nation with an incomparable level of bravery and helped establish a path of military service for the next generation of African Americans,” said Riemer. “We hope all who enter this Great Hall will honor and remember this exceptional legacy.”

The Buffalo Soldiers Great Hall was dedicated in honor of the heroic courage and sacrifice of the 92nd Infantry Buffalo Soldiers, a segregated unit of African Americans, during World War II. 

James Harden Daugherty, a longtime Silver Spring resident and Buffalo Soldier who passed away in 2015, was also recognized at the dedication ceremony.

Daugherty served in the Army’s 92nd Infantry Division and when he returned home wrote a book about his experiences titled, “The Buffalo Saga.” Daugherty’s book and other memorabilia are now on display at the Silver Spring Civic Building.

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Release ID: 18-455
Media Contact: Sonya Burke 240-777-6507