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43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, April 8, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 8, 2005 Cross-country ride to highlight vets Former Marine who served in Vietnam wants to ride horses across America to share his views on the plight of homeless veterans By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune A Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War planning to ride across the nation on horseback to bring attention to homeless veterans has been given $3,000 to purchase horsepower for the trek. The funding to buy the horses for veteran Gary Rishforth Sr.’s ride comes from Medford resident Tom Monson. "I wanted to do something to honor our veterans," said Monson, a businessman and documentary film producer. "I was pretty shocked to find out 25 percent of our homeless are veterans," he added. "Our country called and they answered, but not everybody came out OK." The funds are being donated in the name of Nathan James, a new men’s clothing store that Monson’s son, James Monson, and nephew, Nathan Molnar, are opening in downtown Medford on May 1. Advertisement Monson, president of Crime Prevention Resources of Medford, owned Home Medical Inc. for 25 years. He has since sold it. "I have the utmost respect for veterans," said Monson, 57, who is not a veteran. "My brother-in-law passed away from Agent Orange complications." He was referring to a chemical defoliant used in the Vietnam War. Many veterans exposed to heavy doses of the chemical report health problems they believe are related to their exposure. Monson, who met with Rishforth several times to discuss the trip he plans to begin on Memorial Day, said a friend with horse experience is helping Rishforth choose his horses. "Gary still needs to get some tack and other gear," Monson said. "There are a lot of things that people can do to help him." Rishforth, 55, noting that he is overwhelmed by Monson’s generosity, said his main concern is to find horses that are dependable. "I’d like to get two quarter horses that are bomb proof — no kicking or biting," Rishforth said. "I’m looking for horses that can be around the public as well. He’d even settle for a pair of mules. "I’m not too picky, as long as they are sensible," he added. One local business, McKenzie Outfitters, also has offered to provide lightweight camping gear for the cross-country ride. Rishforth plans to head north from Medford’s Veterans Park on Memorial Day. He expects to cover 14,000 miles in four years. He estimates he’ll travel a maximum 20 to 25 miles daily, camping at night. If necessary, he’ll trade for other horses along the way. He’ll avoid major metropolitan areas, although he intends to stop in Washington, D.C., to talk to politicians about the plight of homeless veterans. "I want to bring the public eye to homeless vets, to let the public know about them," he said. "There are even World War II vets out there who are homeless." He will talk to homeless veterans en route about benefits. He’ll also bend any ear about the plight of homeless vets. He plans to stop at Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and other veterans’ gathering places. Rishforth was homeless for three years earlier in his life and now lives in his van to save money for his trip. Originally hailing from a rural area near Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was raised on a farm working with horses, Rishforth joined the Corps in May 1966 at age 17. Serving as a ground pounder in the 3rd Marine Division, the enlisted Marine arrived in Vietnam in March 1967, serving in the war for 11 months. He was discharged on Feb. 27, 1969. After the service, he worked with horses in Colorado and Montana. He calls horses a "symbol of freedom." Married and divorced several times, he said he hit rock-bottom while an unemployed construction worker in Laytonville, Calif. He lived where he could, including in a dead car for a time, then eventually was admitted to the former VA domiciliary in White City. The facility is now known as the VA’s Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics. Contributions may be made to Washington Mutual Vet Ride, 3607 Crater Lake Highway, Medford, OR 97504. A message for Rishforth can be left at 826-9877. Monson can be reached at 779-0016. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Distance Education Diamonds Slippers Student Loans afsa teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoo Fasa Advertisement s