PANAMA CITY BEACH, Florida -- The University of Florida and Emory University are investigating allegations that students attending a fraternity formal in Panama City, Florida over the weekend disrespected a group of U.S. military veterans, according to a report on CBS News.com. The weekend's Warrior Beach Retreat was held at the same resort as Zeta Beta Tau fraternity's Spring Formal.
Some of the veterans who attended the event said they were harassed by a group of college students.
"They actually spit on me and my service dog," wounded veteran Nicholas Connole said. "That's just so disrespectful and it hurts. I come and I feel honored and I feel safe and that I belong, but now I feel like I'm defending myself."
Other veterans said they were shocked by the level of disrespect they experienced. Some said they were spit on and had beer pour on them from the balconies.
"They're a total disgrace for our military," Warrior Beach Retreat founder Linda Cope said. "They were urinating on the American flag they were throwing things off of the balconies."
Cope said she received an apology letter from the University of Florida president that indicated an investigation was underway.
"I said do your investigating, but I want to know what you're going to do. What are you going to do? I think they all should be put on probation," Cope said. "I'm hoping that this will make a dramatic change in their life to realize they do not need to take the sacrifice and the service of these men and women in vain."
Hotel security ended up evicting the fraternity members from the hotel, the CBS News report indicated.
