Private Tomie Louis Gaines, 93, one of the last of the Buffalo Soldiers, the black Army men who helped settle the West on horseback and fought in two world wars, was laid to rest Friday at M.J. Dolly Cooper Cemetery in Anderson.
“He was a good soldier,” said State Sen. Karl Allen, who spoke at Gaines’ funeral in Greenville Friday.
And he was also more. A longtime Nicholtown resident, Gaines was married to his wife, Clara, for 51 years. He was a dedicated member of VFW Post #6734, a former truck driver, a retired painter.
Gaines’ son, Tommy Gaines Jr., said his father also liked to box and loved getting into fights.
“When he got through fighting, he would always have his hand out,” Gaines’ son said.
Some remembered Gaines for his mustache, which turned up at the ends, and for the way he drove, which was fast.
He was a loving father and husband, a man full of energy and ideas. He never seemed to stand still and went to every Veteran’s Day ceremony he could.
Others said Gaines was a living piece of history, the last of the Buffalo Soldiers, a regiment of African-American soldiers commissioned the year after the Civil War ended.
“Tomie Lou represented the military,” said Lillian Brock Flemming, a Greenville councilwoman who knew Gaines as a child.
“We were just enamored with (him). He was always the same, and he never changed,” Flemming said.
Speaking at the funeral service Friday, Flemming said it wasn’t until late in his life that Gaines finally got the honors and recognition he deserved.
Those who knew him said he didn’t like talking about his military service. He would only say that war hurt, said Gaines’ godson, Jimmy Martin.
In a 2004 interview, Gaines said the war made men out of boys and left scars, above and below the surface.
“It hurts sometimes,” Gaines said in a 2013 Greenville News story. “It’s not the matter of fact of who did what, as long as it’s over with.”
R.I.P Troop
No love for the so-called Buffalo soldiers. They fought against the natives so that the white man can settle in the West. I am surprised that Bob marley did not do a correction song. After doing that Buffalo Soldier song of his, he discovered who the true Buffalo Soldiers were.
Dick Gregory was the one who enlightened him and Bob was very grateful for the knowledge. It all came about because Bob wanted Gregory to open up for him and Gregory refused. Bob flew to Boston to visit Gregory to find out why he did not want to open up for his concert and Gregory then explained why.
Hence, no love for those so-called Buffalo Soldiers.
Lali weh bob seh wrong…? “stolen fr Africa, gone to america, fighting on arrival fighting for survival” isn’t he making refference to these same soldiers…?