Cherokee Students Head Off To Begin 950-Mile Trail Of Tears Bike Ride

Young members of the Cherokee Nation hit the road to retrace their ancestors' footsteps on the Remember the Removal Ride.

Fifteen Cherokee students were getting ready Thursday for a ride to remember the Trail of Tears. The group will ride more than 950 miles through seven states over the next three weeks. They'll begin in Calhoun, Georgia and end on June 21 in Oklahoma.

The goal is for young tribal members to never forget the hardships of their Cherokee ancestors who made the same trek on foot.

This year marks the 175th anniversary of the Trail of Tears.

The 2013 Cherokee riders include the following: Benjamin Keener, of Claremore; Joseph Keener, of Claremore; Lillie Keener, of Claremore; Noah Collins, of Claremore; Blake Henson, of Fort Gibson; Marshall Smith, of Hulbert; Haydn Comingdeer, of Stilwell; Robert Ketcher, of Stilwell; Hestin Lamons, of Tahlequah; Paige Carnes, of Tahlequah; Jon Ross, of Tahlequah; Latasha Atcity, of Tahlequah; Carter Copeland, of Tulsa; Lane Holcomb, of Vian; and Sarah Holcomb, of Vian.

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