Day 6 – Buffalo Soldiers, Government Security Access, Picnic on the Base

Day 6 – Buffalo Soldiers, Government Security Access, Picnic on the Base

 

We packed a picnic lunch this morning and headed a few miles down the road to Fort Huachuca, a still-active U.S. Army base. You can Google it to get all the details, but the short version is that it started as a remote border outpost back in the 1880’s and has morphed into a principal training base for military intelligence. It is also open to the public, subject to a pre-entry security check, and you can visit the museums there.

At the entry gate, we were directed into a security building to get our temporary id badges. Inside, it looked like a smaller version of a DMV office – except the clerks were heavily armed military police. You took a ticket with a number and they called you when it was time to get processed. In the meantime, you had to fill out a form with all your personal info. After about 45 minutes, it was our turn – I think they did a real-time criminal background check and if you passed, you got your badge. While were waiting, Karen overheard a conversation between the clerk and a young fellow who was seeking access to the base. It turns out he had been dishonorably discharged from the service at some time in the past, and he was denied entry today – no excuses accepted. We got in.

The highlight of the Fort Huachuca museum is the exhibit chronicling the history of the so-called Buffalo Soldiers – the African-American troops who were stationed at the base beginning in the 1880’s all the way through the end of WWII. It’s quite a story, and one that is worth learning more about.

The base is a sprawling facility in the foothills at about 4300’ elevation. We were allowed to drive around just about anywhere along the main roads. We had a great picnic lunch at an observation point above the base.

We returned to camp in the early afternoon to make plans for the next couple of days. Tonight, we’ll socialize again with our camping neighbors (Tim, Pam, Bill, Susan) and then get up early tomorrow to take a Kartchner Caverns tour.

Next:  Off to New Mexico.