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Topic: Rudy Fries (Read 692 times)
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Good deed moves London veteran
Sat, November 17, 2007
By DANIELA SIMUNAC, SUN MEDIA
In a week when thieves shamelessly stole poppy coin boxes in London, an appreciative stranger's small act of kindness to one vet stood out.
Rudy Fries was wearing his service medals when he and his wife Susie stopped at the A&P grocery store in Byron for a few things after Sunday's Remembrance Day service.
When they got to the head of the line to pay for their groceries, the cashier told them, " 'It's already been taken care of,' " Fries said yesterday.
Someone -- an unknown woman he thinks was in her 30s -- had paid his bill.
"It's definitely appreciated," said the 69-year-old vet. "I was just a symbol there. She saw me as a vet, one of many."
After she'd walked away from the counter, Fries said he saw the woman return and offer the cashier extra cash.
A 26-year military veteran, Fries served with NATO in Europe and as a peacekeeper in Cyprus with the Royal Canadian Regiment and the Black Watch.
Fries said he was wearing a raincoat when he dropped in at the store, so the woman must have noticed the regimental beret he wore and the matching blazer underneath.
If he ever met the woman, Fries said, "it would be very touching and very emotional."
That's in sharp contrast to what many vets must have felt earlier this week, after London police released video of two suspects in the brazen, countertop thefts of poppy coin boxes from several businesses.
"It happened last year, too," said Fries, adding anyone who'd take a poppy coin-collection box has "no conscience, no honour and no sense of what's right or wrong."
One suspect was nabbed the day after after police released the surveillance video.
Police are still looking for another suspect, described as 18 to 25, who at the time was wearing a grey tuque, brown winter coat with a fur-trimmed hood, red shirt and beige pants.
Poppy donations are used to help former service men and women and their families with food, shelter or medical needs.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Well, thats really nice to see.. very thoughtful and generous of that lady... and Rudy described those that steall coin boxes meant for vets and their families .. to a tee... and actually i feel a pang of sorrow for them...to be doing that.. there can be NO excuse...ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Ron McConnell
Ron (Mac)
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That certainly was a great to read, not very often do we have a chance to see this sort of thing happening, Vets should be proud to know there are people like that woman out there. By the way one of the two people who took the Poppie Boxes was arrested, It will be interesting to see what punishment is dolled out by the Judge. Pro Patria Ron
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zulu29er
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Jim Hickson
CWO H.J. Hickson, MMM, CD. (Retd)
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Hi Ron
Keep us posted!!!!!!!
Jim
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1961-Depot San Lenorado
1962-1st Bn RCR Ex Gagetown
1962-JR NCO Course Grad 19 Oct
1962-1965 Germany B-C-D-A Coy (Revecated Nov 64)
1965-1967 Sigs Pl Cyprus Prom CPL 'til xmas and C of Drums
1967-1973 Cpl, MCpl, Sgt, Sigs, D Coy
1973-1977 CFOCS Chilliwack Prom WO
1977-1982 UEO, Sigs, Pl WO RECCE, CSM B&A Coy,
1982-1984 SIT School
1984-1988 Career Manager (Prom CWO 1986)
1988-1990 RSM 1RCR
1991-1995 CWO Adm(Per) - C Of S
1995-1999 Base CWO Wainwright
1999-Retired
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Clair "WHYTIE" Whyte
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Picture of Rudy Fries that accompanied the story from London Free Press and stolen Legion Poppy Boxes.
Clair Whyte
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1 RCR 83-87, 4 RCR 98-02, UN - CYPRUS 84, Strathroy-Caradoc Police 03-Present
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Hey , great pic , looking really sharp and presented..and yes, hope some real justice will prevail on this culprit.. but one has to wonder what could prompt someone to do this crime???
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Jim Hickson
CWO H.J. Hickson, MMM, CD. (Retd)
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Hi
I took over from him as Career Manager for 4 yrs.
Jim
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1961-Depot San Lenorado
1962-1st Bn RCR Ex Gagetown
1962-JR NCO Course Grad 19 Oct
1962-1965 Germany B-C-D-A Coy (Revecated Nov 64)
1965-1967 Sigs Pl Cyprus Prom CPL 'til xmas and C of Drums
1967-1973 Cpl, MCpl, Sgt, Sigs, D Coy
1973-1977 CFOCS Chilliwack Prom WO
1977-1982 UEO, Sigs, Pl WO RECCE, CSM B&A Coy,
1982-1984 SIT School
1984-1988 Career Manager (Prom CWO 1986)
1988-1990 RSM 1RCR
1991-1995 CWO Adm(Per) - C Of S
1995-1999 Base CWO Wainwright
1999-Retired
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BJ MacLean
B.J. / Rusty
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rudy
It sure was a kind and respectful gester that this ladt did for you. She counld not have picked a better person to do it to.
All the best
BJ MacLean
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B.J. MacLean
35 Yrs
Always a Proud Royal
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