Trail of Tears motorcycle ride to stop in Madison on Sept. 20
MADISON – The 32nd annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride, which remembers and celebrates Native American heritage, will stop in Madison as the motorcyclists travel across North Alabama.
On Sept. 20, motorcyclists from across the nation will unite for a scenic ride across North Alabama to honor Native American Indians who faced voluntary or forcible removal from the eastern United States to the State of Oklahoma because of the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
In 1838, the U.S. government hired a wagon master to transport Native Americans by foot and wagon from Ross’ Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn. (now Waterloo). As many as 4,000 Native Americans died in Waterloo; others escaped into the hills. Today, area residents can trace Native American ancestry to those who fled.
The Trail of Tears will travel from Bridgeport in Northeast Alabama to Waterloo in Northwest corner of the state. Along with the celebratory ride, a kick-off rally in Bridgeport will be held on Sept. 19 and a three-day Indian Festival or Pow Wow in Waterloo on Sept. 19-21 that will welcome the public.
The ride will arrive at Redstone Harley-Davidson in Madison at approximately 10:30 a.m. for an official lunch stop. The public is invited to welcome riders while enjoying lunch and special entertainment. At noon, riders will travel through Athens and Florence, arriving in Waterloo at approximately 2 p.m.
“Madison American Legion, Post 229 will again be giving out commemorative ride T-shirts, patches and pins for a donation,” Post Commander Larry Vannoy said. “We are proud to help support this event that recognizes the tragedy of our Native American citizens and shares our appreciation for those that are serving or have served in our U.S. Armed Forces.”
Vannoy serves on the Board of Directors for the Alabama – Tennessee Trail of Tears Corridor Association. He is coordinating logistics for the ride’s stop in Madison.
No single definitive number exists for the total number of Native Americans who have served in the military. However, the 2010 Census identified more than 150,000 American Indian and Alaska Native veterans, Vannoy said.
Historically, and today, Native Americans serve at a higher rate per capita than other racial or ethnic groups. For example, since 9/11, about 19 percent of Native Americans have served, compared to 14 percent of other ethnicities. “According to the Department of Defense, more than 24,000 current, active-duty servicemembers are American Indians,” Vannoy said.
Trail of Tears was organized in 1994 with approximately 100 riders. Participation has grown to 15,000 each year.
The ride is held rain or shine. For more information, including a map and schedule, trail-of-tears. webflow.io/the-ride/this-yearsride or Facebook/Trail of Tears.
