Cowboy on the trail to Washington, D.C.

By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor

As the sun was setting on Sept. 22, a lone cowboy quietly and slowly rode his blue-eyed horse along Groveport Road just east of Groveport.

The cowboy, Tony Jones, and his 4-year-old horse named Semper Fi, were passing through Groveport on their way to Washington, D.C. on a trip designed to raise public awareness about the needs of America’s military veterans.

Jones set off on horseback from Fort Pierre, South Dakota, on June 5 and hopes to reach Washington, D.C. by Oct. 17 where he plans to meet with representatives of South Dakota’s U.S. Senators and Congressmen to discuss what can be done to help military veterans in need. He said he hopes his 1,500 mile trip will make a difference in the lives of veterans.

“More needs to be done to take care of our veterans,” said Jones. “We can’t turn our backs on them. Too many veterans are dying and too many are not being taken care of.”

Jones, who served in the National Guard, said he is encouraged by the people he has met and talked with on his journey.

“I’ve rode through America’s heartland and I can tell you America is still here,” said Jones. “America’s still here. America is still strong. Sometimes I think Americans forget how great they are.”

He said people have offered him a lot of support all along his trip.

“I know we can all come together to help the veterans,” said Jones. “We’re all family in this country. Everyone one of us. We all bleed red. It’s up to us to take care of each other. People need to come together and talk to each other to solve this problem. I have faith in God and the American people.”

To follow Jones and Semper Fi on their journey, visit his Facebook page at Cowboys Ride for Veterans Awareness.