It was a day of remembrance and yet also celebration at the Trails of Tears Park in Hopkinsville, as the Remember the Removal bike riders joined local officials for a historical sign unveiling.
Two new signs now call the memorial park home—they are informational markers that can be read in both English and the Cherokee language. That’s not something that’s very common in the United States, even at memorials, so it’s something that the riders say citizens should view with pride. Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight says these markers and the park itself helps keep the history of the Cherokee people alive.
The Remember the Removal bike ride is also celebrating 40 years since its inception. The bicyclists will travel 950 miles before the end of their trek—which began in Georgia and will conclude in Oklahoma—following the path their ancestors took along the Trail of Tears. Approximately 4,000 Cherokee people died from cold, hunger and disease during the forced removal that came to be known as the Trail of Tears.
Jaslyn Christie is doing the ride for the first time this year, and says she’s already learned so much about her heritage and the tragedy that befell her people. She says it’s important to keep doing this ride and learning about the Trail of Tears, to make sure those fallen are never forgotten and history never repeats itself.
Will Chevez was on the very first Remember the Removal bike ride in 1984 and he says it’s challenging nature hasn’t changed, although they are better prepared for it now. He’s glad that it’s still going, as it educates that public that the Cherokee Nation is still very much present and it gives their youth the momentum to face any challenge.
The group was glad to be a part of the sign unveiling Saturday, and the signs also play a secondary role as being a sort of memorial for Jimmy Dossett, former councilman and avid supporter of the Trail of Tears Park. His brother, Myron Dossett, says this one of the last things Jimmy worked on before he passed away and he would be proud to see them here now.
The Trail of Tears Park is located off of East Ninth Street on Trail of Tears Drive. You can follow along with the Remember the Removal riders on their Facebook page, as they make their way along the Trail of Tears.