Murphy – Thunder rolled through Cherokee County on Friday, when about 100 motorcycles made their way through the county en route to Oklahoma.
One of their stops was at the BP station on U.S. 64. They planned to pick up 5,000-7,000 more riders in Alabama.
The annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride is meant to bring awareness to the plight of Native Americans who suffered greatly in the 1830s under the federal government’s Indian Removal Act, when they were forced to leave their lands and migrate to what is now Oklahoma. Many would die along the way.
The ride was escorted by Sgt. Harold Chastain and Lt. Mitchell Morgan of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Several of those on the ride had family members from past generations who were part of the original Trail of Tears march.
“It brings remembrance to my grandfather who was full-blooded Cherokee,” Kevan Hutto said. “I’ve been doing this for 28 years, and every year it brings chills down my spine to know that I’m remembering what they had to do and endure in the 1830s.”
The parking lot of the BP station was filled with motorcycles, who stopped for about 30 minutes before continuing toward Oklahoma. Several different motorcycle groups were represented on the bright, sunny day.
“I feel wonderful,” Joe Payne said. “We ride this to remember all the indigenous people who have been moved off their land to Oklahoma. We go back to Oklahoma and give them a scholarship.”
The ride was not made up entirely of humans as “Scout,” just 10 weeks old, was also out for the trip. The puppy was tucked in to the vest of owner Kimberly Pollard.
“He loves to ride, and I feel great,” she said. “It’s a beautiful day.”
Eddie Stamper, who was riding with a group of Native Americans from Brothers in the Wind, said, “We like to represent our tribe and keep this alive. Can’t let it go away. Such a bad thing happened that we’ve gotta remember where we came from.”
Ellis Wain’s great-great grandmother was a full-blooded Cherokee and in the Trail of Tears, so it was personal for him.
“That’s what got me involved in it,” he said. Wain is the chaplain for the Trail of Tears ride.
Just as they rode in with a roar of thunder, they left with another roar, headed west to remember those who suffered on the Trail of Tears.