WELCOME T
hanks for attending and allowing yourself to experience the adventures of the
Trailblazing Buffalo Soldiers during this celebration of the Quasquicentennial 125th
anniversary of one of their most awesome accomplishments: crisscrossing the continent nearly 3,000 miles (combine excursions) on military bicycles. Relive the vivid experience of the Iron Riders, who were part of the only bicycle corps the US Army authorized, who rode and patrolled Yellowstone along with an arduous 1900-mile trip from Missoula, Montana to St. Louis, Missouri. Hope you are inspired by the gallantry, endurance, and ingenuity of the US Army 25th Infantry Buffalo Soldiers in the place where it all began -- the majestic area the Spaniards called Montana. Please enjoy the ambiance and the historical elements. While you are enjoying and celebrating this magnificent historic accomplishment, please take minute and say thanks to the Quasquicentennial Celebration Gathering Committee, that has been working since 2019 to make this event and its Programs, a national endeavor. Destination Missoula, Wallace, Idaho Chamber of
Commerce, the Wallace Inn, Historical Museum at Ft. Missoula, the Northern Rockies Heritage Center The Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History, the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, VFW 209, VFW 3173, American LegionTango Alpha Lima, Black Collective Group,and a host of others. Preserving, Promoting and Perpetuating the History of the Buffalo Soldiers
Planning Committee Bobby McDonald – President, Black Chamber of Orange County—CO-CHAIR Emily Rolston – Group Sales, Destination Missoula—CO-CHAIR Matt Lautzenheiser – Executive Director, Historical Museum at Fort Missoula Kristjana Eyjólfsson – Director of Education, Historical Museum at Fort Missoula Tate Jones – Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History Dave Copelan – Coordinator, Historical Wallace Chamber of Commerce Rick Shaffer – General Manager, The Wallace Inn Murray Pierce – Liaison to UM Black Student Union & Support for Students of African Descent Arlen Hall -- BIKEternity
Erick Cedeño -- Adventure Cyclist Ron Jones -- Iron Rider Reenactor Jamar Galbreath -- Missoula County Equity Coordinator, Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Paul Reneau -- University of Montana-Community Leader Anton Johnson -- Commander VFW Post 209 Missoula Daniel Jennings -- California District 2 Commander Susan Hintz -- Author-25th Infantry Band at Fort Missoula Gary Gillett -- Missoula City Band Director William N. Byers--Explorer Studios Missouri State Members Kevin Smith, Executive I, Missouri State Parks Dawn Fredrickson, Program Director, Missouri State Parks David Kelly, Director, Missouri State Parks Dr. Darius Watson, Lincoln University, Admissions Office Ashley Bland Manlove, MO State Representative Vernon Mitchell, Chief Equity and inclusion Officer, St. Louis Mayor’s Office Victoria Cosner, Outreach & Engagement Coordinator
Buffalo Soldiers Iron Riders Gathering June 14-19, 2022 | Missoula, MT On June 14th, 1897, members of the all-Black 25th Infantry embarked on a bicycle journey from Fort Missoula, Montana that would take them 41 days and 1,900 miles to St. Louis, Missouri. This year is the 125th anniversary of their cycling achievement and the Buffalo Soldiers Iron Riders Gathering aims to commemorate the ride and the other accomplishments of the Buffalo Soldiers in the Northwest.
All events are free and open to the public, but some require registration and are noted below. We hope you’ll join us! TUESDAY, JUNE 14TH Flag Day, U.S. Army’s 247th Birthday, 125th Anniversary of the start of the Iron Riders 1,900mile ride to St. Louis, Evening Meet & Greet
5:40am: Iron Riders Community Bike Ride – Route Map o
5-mile ride from Fort Missoula to Holiday Inn Downtown with Iron Rider Reenactors and Erick Cedeño (adventure cyclist departing on 1,900-mile ride to St. Louis)
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Starting point is at the Gazebo next to the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula (3400 Captain Rawn Way, Missoula, MT 59804)
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5:25am arrive at Fort, 5:30am group photo, 5:40am departure
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Breakfast Reception at Holiday Inn for all riders
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Ride at your own risk, participants are responsible for transport back to starting point (Option of Mountain Line Bus Routes 6 or 1)
10am – 12 pm: Buffalo Soldiers Iron Riders Opening Ceremonies o
Welcome and remarks by local and national dignitaries
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Missoula US Army Recruiting Station Color Guard
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Missoula City Band Performance - Tribute to 25th Infantry Band
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Celebration of the US Army’s 247th Birthday
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Location: Heritage Hall (30 Fort Missoula Rd, Missoula, MT 59804)
1 pm: Tour of Fort Missoula Grounds with Tate Jones o
Location: Meet at HMFM - 3400 Captain Rawn Way, Missoula, MT 59804
4pm: Flag Retirement Ceremony o
Location: American Legion Open Field (1518 Tower St, Missoula, MT 59804)
5:30-7pm: Evening Meet & Greet o
Light hors d'oeuvre and refreshments provided, vendor tables open
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Location: Holiday Inn Downtown Missoula Atrium (200 S Pattee St, Missoula, MT 59802)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15TH Fort Missoula Presentations and Tours, Missoula PaddleHeads Baseball Game, Missoula City Band Tribute to Iron Riders • 10am: Michael Yaguchi: Presentation on Nisei Experience During WWII o
Location: T1 Building next to Heritage Hall - 30 Fort Missoula Rd, Missoula, MT 59804
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11am: Julian Purdy, Dept. of Labor, Chief of Staff, Veterans Employment & Training, Tours and speaks at Missoula Vet Center o Location: 910 Brooks, Ste. 101 - Missoula, MT 59801
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Tours of Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, Fort Missoula Grounds and Post Cemetery o o
Location: Meet at Historical Museum at Fort Missoula - 3400 Captain Rawn Way,
Missoula, MT 59804 • 2pm: Darrel Nash: Presentation on Buffalo Soldier 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments o
Location: T1 Building next to Heritage Hall - 30 Fort Missoula Rd, Missoula, MT 59804
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3pm: Tours of Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, Fort Missoula Grounds and Post Cemetery o
Location: Meet at Historical Museum at Fort Missoula - 3400 Captain Rawn Way, Missoula, MT 59804
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5:30pm: Missoula PaddleHeads Baseball Game "Iron Riders Salute" - sponsored by Missoula VFW Post 209 - Registration Required o
Missoula Paddleheads vs. Great Falls Voyagers
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Free to attend but registration is required. Attendance includes game ticket and dinner (alcoholic drinks not included)
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5:30pm Party Deck opens & special presentation, dinner at 6 pm, game starts at 7 pm
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Location: Party Deck Special Entrance - Ogren Park at Allegiance Field (700 Cregg Ln, Missoula, MT 59801)
8pm: Missoula City Band Concert: "A Tribute to The Iron Riders" o
Location: Bonner Park Bandshell (1600 Ronald Ave. Missoula, MT 59801)
THURSDAY, JUNE 16TH Poker Run, Fort Missoula Tours, Iron Riders Film Festival, Ladies High Tea
9am-5pm: Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle Poker Run - ROUTE o
200 miles, 5 locations: Trixi's Antler Saloon, Visit Helena, Wheel Inn Tavern, Kettlehouse Brewing - Bonner, and Grizzly Harley Davidson.
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Winning poker hand receives a prize!
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More info HERE. Email emily@destinationmissoula.org to register.
10am: Tours of Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, Fort Missoula Grounds and Post Cemetery o
Location: Meet at Historical Museum at Fort Missoula - 3400 Captain Rawn Way, Missoula, MT 59804
1-4pm: Iron Riders Film Festival - Registration Required o
3 Films: Buffalo Soldiers: The Beginning (William Byers), Following the Lieutenant (Eric Westrom), and Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts (Dru Holley)
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Free to attend. Registration Required as seats are limited.
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Location: Theater 3 - The Roxy Theater (718 S Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59801)
5:30-7pm: Buffalo Soldiers High Tea o
Sponsored by 9th & 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association
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Light hors d'oeuvre and refreshments provided, vendor tables open
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Location: Holiday Inn Downtown Missoula Atrium (200 S Pattee St, Missoula, MT 59802)
FRIDAY JUNE 17TH Buffalo Soldiers in Wallace, ID – Registration Required 10am: Buses depart from Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown 11 am: Arrive in Wallace (note time change to Pacific Time) Reception at Elks Lodge (includes lunch) 12 pm: Museum tours and explore downtown Wallace
2 pm: Dedication of Monument to Buffalo Soldiers in North Idaho, Wallace Visitor Center 3 pm: Depart Wallace 6 pm: Arrive in Missoula at Holiday Inn Downtown (note time change to Mountain Time) Registration Required (email barnardstockbridge@gmail.com) Transportation to/from Missoula via charter bus and lunch provided SATURDAY, JUNE 18TH Tours at Fort Missoula, Missouri State Parks Presentation, Evening Meet & Greet
10am: Tours of Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, Fort Missoula Grounds and Post Cemetery o
Location: Meet at Historical Museum at Fort Missoula - 3400 Captain Rawn Way, Missoula, MT 59804
2 pm: Guided tour of the Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History – Tate Jones
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Location: 2975 Gen Foster Ave, Missoula, MT 59804
3 pm: Missouri State Parks Presentation by Kevin Smith o
Location: Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History (2975 Gen Foster Ave, Missoula, MT 59804)
5:30-7pm: Evening Meet & Greet o
Light hors d'oeuvre and refreshments provided, vendor tables open
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Location: Holiday Inn Downtown Missoula Atrium (200 S Pattee St, Missoula, MT 59802)
SUNDAY, JUNE 19TH Juneteenth Celebration at Fort Missoula
10am – 2pm: Juneteenth Celebration o
Reenactment of Gen. Gordon Granger presenting General Order Number 3, welcome and remarks by local Missoula officials
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Presentations by Murray Pierce, Greg Martin, George Price, and Paul Reneau.
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Food Trucks & Missoula City Band performance - Tribute to 25th Infantry Band
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Location: Iris Garden & Gazebo next to the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula (3400 Captain Rawn Way, Missoula, MT 59804)
ADDITIONAL MISSOULA EVENTS: Wednesday, June 15th Out to Lunch – 11 am to 2 pm – Caras Park Downtown – Live Music and Food Trucks! Thursday, June 16th Downtown ToNight: 5:30-8:30 pm – Caras Park Downtown – Live Music and Food Trucks! Missoula Paddleheads vs Great Fall Voyagers – 7 pm – Ogren Park at Allegiance Field Saturday, June 18th Farmers Markets: 8 am to 1 pm – Downtown Missoula Car Show: 11 am – Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History at Fort Missoula Sunday, June 19th Missoula Summer Made Fair: 10 am – 4 pm – Caras Park Downtown
Iron Riders Morning Ride
Iron Riders 1897 Route
Missoula PaddleHeads Ogren Park at Allegiance Field 700 Cregg Ln, Missoula, MT 59801
EXHIBITORS Sign up/Info Table Destination Missoula Table Black Collective/Juneteenth Vet Center VFW Posts 3173 VFW Post 209 Humana Missoula City Band/ Books—Susan Hintz Buffalo Soldier Table Exhibit-Troy Buffalo Soldier Clothing Table
Dept. of Labor Table Missouri State Parks Missoula Model Railroad Display Bicycle Display Easels-Baseball Poster Easels-Baseball Poster
The U.S. Army greatest bicycle experiment of 1897 featured the only bicycle corps the U.S. Army ever authorized. IN 1897 the all Black unit conducted drills and exercises on wheels. They rode into Northern Montana on muddy trails and toured Yellowstone on their 100-pound iron bicycles. As proof of their capabilities, these Iron Riders pedaled 1,900 miles from Ft. Missoula, across the snow-dusted Rocky Mountains and steamy Great Plains, to St. Louis.