Archives for June 2018


June 7, 2018 Meeting (Includes Audio)

Posted June 12, 2018 at 1:09 PM

The guest speakers for our June 7, 2018 meeting were Trooper Chuck Andolino and Trooper John Nichols of the Mark Matthews Chapter 9th and 10th (Horse Cavalry) Association, Petersburg, VA Buffalo Soldiers. They presented a historically accurate account of the Buffalo Soldiers' contribution to American History.


Troopers Chuck Andolino and John NicholsChuck Andolino, a native of the Buffalo, New York area, has been a resident of Chesterfield County since 1984. He has his Masters Degree +50 hours in education, taught in New York State for 20 years and for Henrico County for 10 years. Besides working with special needs children, Chuck has served as a school administrator, reading supervisor, high school coach, lecturer and businessman. He served his country as a member of the armed forces for 8 years and as a volunteer fireman for 20 years. Since retirement in 1995 he was a member of the Chesterfield/Colonial Heights Crime Solvers and a member of their Speaker's Bureau for 18 years. Since his retirement from Crime Solvers he has continued to speak to various organizations in the Tri City area. His passion is to inform senior citizens of crime, home security, scams and other relevant issues.

As a member of the Mark Matthews Chapter. 9th & 10th (Horse Calvary) Association, Petersburg, Virginia Buffalo Soldiers, he organizes presentations to schools and other community organizations, to provide and perpetuate the story and history of the Buffalo Soldiers.

Trooper Nichols was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His journey began as a 17 year old army recruit in 1942. He served during WWII, carrying on the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers before him. After basic training and clerical school, he was assigned to the 29th Cavalry Troop C. In 1944, he was assigned to the 92nd Infantry and got an opportunity to participate in combat against the Germans and Italians. He also did recon work with the Italian resistance.

A couple of high points include: Cpl. Louis Barrow (the heavyweight champ) was Nichols' squad leader, and Cpl. Jackie Robinson(baseball legend) served with Nichols. After the war, Trooper Nichols continued his career in the Army and took various assignments, including one with the 6487th Heavy Engineer Construction Battalion in Casa Blanca, North Africa. Nichols retired from the military in 1964 and returned to Europe where he remained for 20 years. He and his wife currently live in Chester with family.