Veteran, 84, fights off would-be thief

[The Straight Story]

Veteran, 84, fights off would-be thief


TORONTO, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- A young, gun-toting would-be thief fled a Legion branch in Toronto empty-handed after an angry 84-year-old World War II veteran tackled him.

John Dietsch and 64-year-old volunteer Earl Gray were counting money from donation boxes for veterans and their families midday Thursday when the gunman appeared and said, "Give me all your bills," the National Post reported.

Dietsch, who has five great grandchildren, said he was enraged and lunged at the man.

"There was no way I was going to let him get away with the money," the navy veteran told the Toronto Sun. "Our veterans and their widows need that money."

Dietsch was knocked off his feet by the thief and that's when Legion volunteer Gray tackled the man, who wrestled him off and fled, the reports said.

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2009/11/13/Veteran-84-fights-off-would-be-thief/UPI-25301258126816/

[TheWraith]

1. Brave, but also incredibly lucky.

If that guy had really been desperate enough, both of those men would probably be dead. Fortunately most people who are low level thieves are in that position because they're NOT murderers, and often aren't willing to kill someone over money.

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. I read that headline and

thought they were talking about Coburn.