From Texas' Alamo to NYC's Ground Zero: Northeast Texan rides for a cause

By DAVY MOSELEY | East Texas Edition

Les Nichols checks his gear before leaving Mount Pleasant on Dec. 20. In February, the trio hope to be in New York City's Ground Zero. -Staff photo by Moseley

December 27, 2001 -- With 19th century transportation, 21st century communication, and a timeless charge, cowboy Les Nichols is riding horseback from the Alamo to Ground Zero to prove that Americans aren't going to take 9-11 lying down.

Les Nichols, 41, a Thoroughbred race horse trainer from Celeste, Texas, started his journey in October in San Antonio and is planning to reach New York City in February.

"This is the first time in my life I just felt like I had to do something," Nichols said while saddling his horse J.J. the morning of Dec. 20 at Robertson Veterinary Clinic in Mount Pleasant. "Sometimes a cowboy just has to ride for what he believes in.

"This is not a Forrest Gump thing. I'm just a simple cowboy from a small town. You never know what you can do until you try," he said. "Besides, I really didn't have any (work) responsibilities until spring."

Local fire departments along the way are helping Nichols by providing him a place to bed down, and by transporting some of his gear - in particular a custom saddle called the Freedom Saddle, made by Jim Taylor of J.E. Taylor Saddlery in Greenville. Raffle tickets are being sold for $5 along the way and all proceeds from this raffle benefit The New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund.

Nichols, 41, along with horse J.J. and dog Posse, began a ride from San Antonio's Alamo in October. -Staff photo by Moseley

Nichols' goal is to raise $1 million, and he feels confident that he and his team will reach their goal.

His team is known as the American Posse, and its members are those who have the same vision as Nichols and wish to help out in any way they can.

Many are coming out to help Nichols, yet they all want to know why he decided to ride halfway across the country.

As a young boy, Nichols hurt his eye. This ultimately prevented him from joining the military, being a police officer, fire fighter, or postal worker. So, when each of those groups was so traumatically impacted by the events of Sept. 11, Nichols decided he had to do something, and the vision for the American Posse was born.

"I've worked with a good team along the way," Nichols said.

"I've been touched by the outpouring of support everyone has given me," he said. "Everyone I've met has been so considerate. One guy even recommended I ride east and head up the coast so it would be warmer. I told him, 'It's not about being easy, it's about getting there. I'm taking the shortest route I can from Texas through Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and on to New York City.'"

Nichols said even though he is enjoying his quiet, nostalgic ride, he is still connected to the modern world. Nichols stays in contact with his American Posse members almost daily by cell phone.

"People magazine interviewed me (a few days ago) over the cell phone while I was riding down Hwy 67."

The magazine is not the only interview he has planned. In February, Nichols will ride into downtown New York City to Ground Zero (the site of the World Trade Center attack) where he will be met by the crew of NBC's The Today Show.

"It's going to be an honor to be on The Today Show, and I hope I can represent Texas well," Nichols said.

Nichols and his dog Posse are having a great time together - meeting new people, seeing new things, and following many roads.

"You could drive these roads every day, but when you ride down them on horseback, it's like seeing them for the first time."

For more information on how to help Nichols, or to find out where he is, visit the American Posse website: http://www.americanposse.org/.