×

EX-CITY MAYOR ALSO A WAR HERO

Former Dunkirk Mayor Richard Frey, who faces jail time for wire fraud, served the United States in the Korean War.

I have known ex-mayor Dick Frey since seventh grade – DHS class of 1949. As mayor, he did a super great job and with little to work with. Dunkirk certainly is not the rich city of when we were young.

So he supposedly transferred some campaign money to a personal account – so big deal – our congress does it all the time and with large sums – no one tries to prosecute them – but then it’s easier to pick on a small town mayor.

Our legal system should be ashamed – they have better things to do. If I give you money for whatever, does that make you and I criminals and we go to jail – come on.

When the Korean War started June of 1950, Dick went in the army and fought over there. He rose from private to master-sergeant – very few have done that. It takes heroism in battle and accomplish that. He also was wounded twice – I don’t know the details of the first one, but the second one was a bullet in the belly.

After recovering from both wounds, he went back into combat rather than safety in the rear echelon. War is hell. It’s not the John Wayne glory movies – it’s hell on earth. I know, I was there too as a U.S. Marine.

Is this how we treat our veteran war heroes? Come on, we can be better than that. Here’s an 85-year-old man, the caretaker of an ill wife and we (our legal system) wants to punish him. I hope we are a better country than that.

Robert H. Briggs is a Parrish, Fla., resident and former Dunkirk resident who was co-owner of the former Briggs Dairy.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today