 In his old age , he became a symbol for the Buffalo Soldiers . In 1994 , he met with President Bill Clinton at the White House . In 1997 , at the age of 103 , Matthews was present at Arlington National Cemetery for a service honoring the Buffalo Soldiers , where he unveiled a plaque that dedicated his former barracks in honor of the soldiers . For his 108th birthday in 2002 , he met with then @-@ United States Secretary of State Colin Powell , where Powell was presented with a portrait of Matthews . He was a member of his local church , a Prince Hall Masonic Temple and the Washington chapter of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Association until his death . 
