The pack of unruly frat boys who harassed disabled veterans last April will face no charges for their crimes. Why? Because they refuse to cooperate with the police.

The Zeta Beta Tau fraternity members stayed at the Laketown Wharf Resort for their spring formal. Staying at the same hotel was the Warrior Beach Retreat, which hosts an annual retreat to celebrate the service of disabled veterans. During their overlapping vacations, fraternity members verbally abused and spat at the wounded veterans. The frat boys also urinated on the American flag and destroyed hotel property.

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A parade for veterans at the Wounded Beach Retreat.

A swift backlash from the military community saw the Zeta Beta Tau chapter at University of Florida suspended and disbanded. College officials apologized profusely, and local authorities charged the students with simple battery, petit theft, criminal mischief and launching a deadly missile.

Unfortunately, justice stops just short of jail time. The police did conclude that the harassment occurred, but they cannot press charges because the fraternity closed ranks and refused to identify which members were involved.

While not entirely unexpected, it’s a shame that these young men will go unpunished. It doesn’t matter whether a veteran is vacationing with their family at Seaworld or their fellow vets at Panama Beach. They deserve respect for their sacrifices and support from their community.

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