News Release

Special event honors 160th birthday of General Charles Young

Guests of the event listen to former NPS Director Bob Stanton speak

NPS Photo / Tom Engberg

News Release Date: March 12, 2024

Contact: Andy Danneker, 937-352-6757

WILBERFORCE, OH - On Saturday afternoon, March 9^th, 2024, staff from Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, friends from the local community and park partners came together to celebrate the 160^th anniversary of Brigadier General Charles Young’s birth. The special event took place at the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center (NAAMCC) in Wilberforce, Ohio. More than 100 people attended the event, a clear sign of the continuing impact of General Young’s legacy.

“We look forward to this special event every year because it’s a fantastic way for the park to bring members of the community together and to connect with and honor the legacy of Brigadier General Charles Young,” said Acting Park Superintendent Andy Danneker. During the event, several invited speakers delivered remarks about the life and story of Brigadier General Charles Young. Speakers included Ms. Renotta Young, a descendent of the brigadier general and President of the Brigadier General Charles Young Foundation; Dr. Charles Wash, Director of the NAAMCC; Mr. Bob Stanton, former director of the National Park Service; Deputy Regional Director Rick Clark of the National Park Service’s Midwest Regional Office; and Major General David Wilson. General Wilson was also the recipient of the park’s annual Trailblazer Award. He is the commanding general of the U.S. Army’s Sustainment Command at Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois and has been a commissioned Army officer since 1991, serving in various capacities around the globe. The Trailblazer Award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service and commitment to the community, leadership, and youth.

The event was co-hosted by the park’s active partners, The Brigadier General Charles Young Foundation, and the NAAMCC. “This blend of partners, community members, and park staff is what makes this day so exciting. Without the tremendous support of our partners, particularly The Brigadier General Charles Young Foundation and the NAAMCC, this special day honoring General Young would not be possible,” Acting Superintendent Danneker stressed.