Council honors Remember the Removal bike riders and presents Cherokee Warrior Veteran award to Leroy Smith

The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council used part of its April 14 meeting to recognize community members: the council introduced the 2025 Remember the Removal bike riders and mentors and presented a Cherokee Warrior Veteran Award to Leroy Smith.

Remember the Removal riders: Council and staff invited the 2025 bike‑ride team and two mentors to the chamber; ten riders introduced themselves by name and clan and described their participation. Heather Fite, youth leadership manager in Education Services, said two mentors (Stephanie Conduff and Jeremy Hamilton) were unable to attend because of work travel.

Veteran recognition: The council presented a Cherokee Warrior Veteran Award to Leroy Smith. The council read Smith’s service record into the record, noting he entered the U.S. Navy on March 23, 1966, trained at Great Lakes Naval Station, completed construction training including carpentry and masonry, served with Mobile Construction Battalion 6 in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged April 21, 1969, as a Petty Officer Second Class. The council recounted his deployments and medals, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Smith said he appreciated the recognition and expressed affection for the Cherokee Nation. "I really appreciate this. And I gotta say that, the Cherokee nation, I love it," he said.

Why it matters: The Remember the Removal ride is a recurring cultural commemoration that retraces the Trail of Tears; the council’s recognition and the veteran award are ceremonial acknowledgements of community service, cultural continuity and military service.

Ending: The meeting proceeded to routine business after the presentations.