Pocono News Section

Vets outspoken after county firing

Vets outspoken after county firing - Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 6:18PM EST

Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 @ 06:18pm EDT

A controversial firing leads to several veterans speaking out in Luzerne County .

The county veteran affairs director, Richard Wren, was told he was fired Thursday.

It was made official at Thursday’s commissioners meeting.

Veterans like Sam Greenberg of Kingston spoke out at the meeting, saying, “For 33 thousand veterans speaking for him on his behalf, we need this individual."

Bob Alper, a Korean war veteran said, "It will be a loss of somebody who really cares, takes money out of his own pocket. He goes out and buys a veteran a food order if he doesn't have anything. He cares."

County commissioners won't say why Wren was fired.

They say its county policy not to discuss personnel matters like this.

But Wren tells eyewitness news he didn't submit proper reimbursement paperwork for a Memorial Day event.

Wren says he took a group of boy scouts to place flags at veteran's gravesites.

Afterward, Wren says they went to lunch, but didn't save the receipts.

He says he submitted a reimbursement claim without the receipts.

Now the county is searching for Wren's replacement.

Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla said, "I respect the veterans and their concerns and i can only assure the veterans administration office is a very important office for Luzerne County and we will advertise immediately for a replacement."

Veterans like Neno Sartini want an immediate replacement.

Sartini says he believes wren's side of the story and doesn't think he should be fired.

"If that's the case, then that's Richard Wren helping out. His dedication to veterans in this county is outstanding and people need him," said Sartini.

Wren served as Luzerne County's veterans affairs director for five years.

Commissioner Petrilla says someone within the county workforce will serve as interim director while the search for a replacement continues.