January/February 2018 Newsletter

Happy New Year!

Yikes! We are putting out our January newsletter in February! To say that 2018 has gotten off to a busy start would be the understatement of, well, the year. January was busy. We actually published the newsletter on January 16, but we kept adding to it because we kept finding ourselves involved in interesting events. We kept saying, “We have to put this news in the newsletter.” So it kept getting pushed back, but we think it is worth it. We hope your new year has gotten off to a great start. And we wish you only the best of everything throughout this whole year.

Buffalo Soldier Day

On Sunday, January 14, several members of SISCA attended the Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) Buffalo Soldier Day. This is an annual event for the ITC, and we were honored to attend. The purpose of our attendance was to honor our legacy by discussing our history with the visitors who attended. Along three tables, several pictures and other items that held historical and sentimental value were displayed.

A big "thank you" goes to Ms. Cynthia Atchico for setting this up. We look forward to making this an annual event.

Martin Luther King Jr Day

On Monday, January 15, several members of SISCA attended Del Rio’s annual Martin Luther King Jr Day March. This day was about reverence and action. Those who attended were urged by the speakers to get involved, to become passionate about making positive changes.

Descendants of Freedmen of the Five Tribes Meeting - Saturday, January 20, 2018
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

On Saturday, January 20, SISCA member Cynthia Atchico attended the meeting of the Descendants of Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes. She reported that, at this meeting, she took part in some important conversations, learned pertinent information, and met some wonderful people.

Ms. Cynthia Atchico appears in the photo above, along with several of the other participants.

L to R: Standing: Le Etta Osborne (Oklahoma Seminole Nation Dosar Barker Band Leader), Ms. Vann's daughter (Cherokee), Anastasia Pittman (Oklahoma Congresswoman & Seminole Nation Dosar Barker enrolled), Cynthia Atchico, Wanda Hatfield (Oklahoma Cherokee Nation Tribal councilwoman). Sitting: Marilyn Vann (Cherokee Nation).

Ms. Vann is the person who is responsible for the Oklahoma Cherokee Nation accepting their Freedmen back into their nation with full citizenship.
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Museum Visit and Donation

Monday, January 29 was a busy day at the museum. At nine o’clock in the morning, we were happy and honored to give a special tour to Brother Y.J. Jimenez and his good friend John Querolo. During the tour, Y.J. and John went from tour guests to museum volunteers. When we got to the pot-belly stove, Augusta Pines (SISCA president) mentioned that it had been put together incorrectly. Brother Y.J. and John then hopped into action, taking the stove apart and putting it back together correctly. Afterward, they posed proudly in front of their handiwork.

In addition to putting the pot-belly stove together correctly, Brother Y.J. and John saw that the museum was greatly in need of a new display case. So later that day, they on behalf of the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation/First Baptist Church, Brackettville, Texas, donated a display case that had been purchased during the recent Alamo Village auction and sale. Pictured in the photos along with Brother Y.J. Jimenez, John Querolo, and Augusta "Gigi" Pines are Ron Lowe and Sterling "Smiley" Goodloe. 

In addition to the large display case, a smaller case was also donated by the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation/First Baptist Church, Brackettville, Texas. We are very thankful.

"Battle of Lake Okeechobee" by Johnny Montgomery --
Print Donated to Museum by Artist

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On Friday, February 3, we received a special delivery via the USPS. Although we knew about the impending arrival, we were still overwhelmed when this amazing print had been taken out of its packaging.

Mr. Johnny Montgomery, an artist out of Fayetteville, North Carolina, contacted SISCA in the middle of January. He asked if he could donate one of his prints to our museum. We eagerly accepted his offer. We are currently looking for the perfect frame for this special piece. We are indebted to Mr. Montgomery for his generosity.

Saturday, February 10 - Monthly Meeting

On Saturday, February 10, we held our monthly meeting. Pictured above are a few of those who attended. Pictured in the photo are (L to R): Corina T. Harrington, secretary, Joe Louis Factor, Mary Cleve (in front of Mr. Factor), Augusta "Gigi" Pines, president, Mary Nofi, board member, and Mr. Al Nofi. We want to thank everyone who was able to attend. 

Saturday, February 24 --
Black History Month Program

We are looking forward to celebrating Black History month on Saturday, February 24. Come and join us!

Fort Clark Days --
Friday and Saturday, March 2-3, 2018

Fort Clark Days is an important tradition for Fort Clark/Brackettville residents. We are happy to participate in this annual event.

Next Monthly Meeting - March 2017

Our next meeting will take place on Saturday, March 10 at 1 PM at the Carver School. We look forward to seeing you there.

Membership

Is it time to renew your membership? Our website makes it easy. Just click the button below to become a new member or to renew you membership. Or you can send us your check by mail, if you prefer. Your membership is very important to us. There truly is strength in numbers. Become a member of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association today. Thank you!

MEMBERSHIP

Special Thank You to Mr. Bennie J. McRae

A few months ago, Mr. Bennie McRae contacted Cythnia Atchico to see if SISCA would be interested in utilizing the invaluable archives that he has amassed over the years. Without hesitation, we said yes. Over the coming the weeks, we will be adding this information to our website. We are honored that Mr. McRae has entrusted us with his work.

We can never say "thank you" enough.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to SISCA since our last newsletter. Thank you for your time and attention, for your interest in our history, museum, cemetery, and association. Thank you for helping us keep our legacy alive.