Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro

Staten Island, New York

Molinaro Expresses Outrage at Teen Attack on Veteran

B.P. Reaches Out to State Crime Victims Board to Assist Disabled Vietnam Vet

Borough President James P. Molinaro today strongly condemned the actions of three teens who attacked a disabled Vietnam veteran by setting fire to his wheelchair on a City bus this week.

“I am outraged that something like this can happen, especially now while we’re at war and preparing to observe Memorial Day this month,” said Molinaro. “It’s appalling that these kids are abusing the very freedoms that our soldiers are fighting and dying for. An attack on a Staten Island Vietnam War hero is an attack on all of us.

“Thankfully, the veteran was protected from further harm by quick-thinking Good Samaritans who put out the fire,” added Molinaro. “I would also like to thank our police who quickly apprehended these teens, who were playing hooky from high school. I am confident that they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Upon hearing of the senseless and cowardly assault upon Francis Abrams, who lost a leg in Vietnam, Molinaro immediately reached out to the New York State Crime Victims Board, to see if they could compensate Abrams for the damage to his wheelchair.

Joan Cusack, Chair of the Crime Victims Board, said that Abrams is “an innocent victim entitled to compensation under New York State law,” and that her agency can offer him up to $500 to repair or replace his wheelchair.

“Our Board is equally outraged by this crime,” she said. “It’s one of the worst I’ve heard of against a veteran. To think that this brave man lost a leg in Vietnam so that these kids can have the freedom to roam around and play hooky. I’m pleased that my agency is in a position to help him, and we’ll do everything in our power to do so.”

May 18, 2005