Secretary Salazar Visits Yosemite National Park and Buffalo Soldier Program

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar joined new National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis for a tour of Yosemite National Park and a presentation of Park Ranger Shelton Johnson's award-winning Buffalo Soldier Program on Saturday October 10, 2009.

In his program, Shelton portrays one of the U.S. Army's Buffalo Soldiers, a regiment of African American soldiers created by Congress in 1866 who served largely in the western United States. Ken Burns featured Shelton prominently in his recent documentary series, “The National Parks: America's Best Idea.”

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    Park Ranger Shelton Johnson portrays a Buffalo Soldier as he interprets Yosemite's history to children from Mariposa Middle School. (Photo by Tami A. Heilemann-DOI)

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    Secretary Salazar and Buffalo Soldier Shelton Johnson. (Photo by Tami A. Heilemann-DOI)

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    “We owe a debt of gratitude to all the Buffalo Soldiers whose service and sacrifice allowed for the permanent protection of America's great western parks” Secretary Salazar told an audience at Yosemite National Park. (Photo by Tami A. Heilemann-DOI)

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    Interior Secretary Salazar with Director of the National Park Service, Jon Jarvis. (Photo by Tami A. Heilemann-DOI)

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    Secretary Salazar hiking with kids from Mariposa Middle School. (Photo by Tami A. Heilemann-DOI)

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    Secretary Salazar surveys fire damage with Yosemite's Chief Ranger Steve Shackleton. (Photo by Tami A. Heilemann-DOI)

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