A 101-year-old war veteran who was tied up and robbed in his home last month says he has been overwhelmed by the support and kindness shown by friends and strangers around the world.
Retired Col. Ernest Cote was alone in his apartment a week before Christmas when he was tied up and robbed by a man claiming to be a city worker.
In an interview with CTV News at his Ottawa-area home on Saturday, Cote said he is in good spirits after surviving such an ordeal.
“I can move around and make life miserable for you and anybody else,” a smiling Cote said, cracking a joke.
Cote is a D-Day veteran who landed on Juno Beach on June 6, 1944. He travelled to France last summer to mark the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings.
Cote said he never felt any fear during the home invasion – he was just angry and trying to figure out how to get out of the violent situation. Even when a plastic bag was placed over his head, Cote said he wasn’t afraid.
“Some people think that (if) you’re 101 years of age you crumble up and wonder, ‘Oh why, what was happening.’” Cote said. “No, I was just mad.”
Cote walked away from the ordeal with minor injuries, but he knows it could have been much worse. Cote managed to free himself and call police after the suspect fled.
“I knew I had to act quickly and I was able to move my hands out after two or three tries,” he said.
Police have charged Ian Bush, 59, with attempted murder, robbery with violence, and forcible confinement.
Bush has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric assessment. None of the allegations against him have been proven in court.
Cote meanwhile, has received messages of support from across the country, and from as far away as England and Brazil.
Earlier this month, he received a standing ovation at an Ottawa Senators game.
“A standing ovation for the old guy, but that’s very generous,” Cote said.
Now Cote is looking to the future. He said if he is able to, he plans to be back in Normandy to attend this year’s D-Day commemoration.
With a report by CTV Ottawa’s Claudia Cautillo
