THIS IS MY PATCH WAR VET’S MESSAGE TO GRUBS:
FREDERICK Griffiths called in his mates for a cup of tea yesterday. The 97-year-old World War II vet has had his garage broken into, faeces smeared on his windows and paint thrown on his driveway. After reading about his plight in the Bulletin, these veterans called in to see how he is and scope the area. “We thought we’d reach out and see if there was anything we could do,” Graze the biker said.
MEMBERS of a veterans’ motorcycle club have ridden to the rescue of a 97-year-old World War II veteran who has been repeatedly harassed at his Paradise Point home of more than 45 years.
The Vietnam Veterans and Veterans Motorcycle Club’s Queensland chapter decided to intervene after reading about Frederick Griffiths’ plight in the Bulletin.
The elderly veteran, a former army mechanic who served for two years in North Africa, has reported to police a campaign of harassment which has seen faeces smeared on his windows and paint thrown on his driveway.
Since the Bulletin told his story he has allegedly had his garage broken into with the motor on the garage door destroyed when it was forcibly lifted. But the respected veteran, whose son Dr Grant Griffiths has documented every instance of his father’s alleged intimidation, now has some back-up.
“Having these body guards (the veteran motorcycle members) is wonderful really,” Mr Griffiths said. “I sleep better at night knowing I’ve got some help.”
Mr Griffiths wanted to thank his veteran protectors, but a spokesman for the group said that it was only right they looked out for one another.
‘Graze’ from the Queensland chapter of the club said there was no question they had to help.
“It lifted his spirits a lot,” he said. “It was a natural thing to let him know he wasn’t alone. We have that mateship but when you get to Fred’s age it’s hard to still have that. So we are here for him. We always will be.
“We’ve called in three times or more since it’s happened and we will continue to do that, we want to support him and want him to know we are always here for a fellow veteran.”
The bike club members fixed the damage to Mr Griffiths’ driveway, with associate ‘Russ’ scraping away the mess, repainting the entire driveway – and footing the bill himself.
Steven Fish of Cool Air also helped, replacing Mr Griffith’s airconditioning unit at cost price while Claire Barnett of JB Security at Nerang, has installed two security cameras on the property to potentially catch the vandals in the act.
“It has been like Christmas,” said Mr Griffiths. “I’m pleased as punch. “I thank all the people that have helped me because now the others that are harassing me know I’ve got people looking after me.
“Life is fun and really good now you people are here to help me, I have a new lease on life thanks to you all.
“I feel much better now you are in my life.”