Cambridge Jogger Claims Harvard ROTC Students Ran Her Off Path

For most, a jog along the Charles River is a time to trade the stressful hustle and bustle of Harvard Square for some quiet relaxation.

But as Verity Parris, a 55 year-old Cambridge resident and jogger, learned recently, the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) paths are not always safe havens in a cruel world.

In a letter to the editors published this week in the Boston Globe, Parris said she was run off the path by a group of Harvard ROTC students.

In addition to commonly witnessed "kamikaze bicyclists and errant roller-bladers," Parris wrote, citizens should fear "young men wearing black sweatshirts imprinted with the words `Harvard Army ROTC.'"

About 10 days ago at approximately 7:30 a.m., Parris said she came upon about nine Harvard Army ROTC cadets while jogging. Parris said she expected them to allow her to pass on the path because of her age and small stature.

But Parris said instead a cadet brushed against her with "glancing blow" as he ran past. "I don't think he even saw me. I'm sure it wasn't deliberate," Parris said.

In her letter to the editor, however, Parris implicitly accused the ROTC group of knocking her down.

"As I got up brushing the sycamore leaves off myself, the thought occurred to me that, yes, I want our army to be tough as much as the next person. But, really, guys, is clearing the bicycle paths of 55 year-old, 110 pound grandmothers going to toughen you up that much?"

Yesterday, Parris said she was "furious" immediately after the accident. "I expected the one who was in my path to fall back or squeeze together and make room for me to pass," Parris said.

But now, Parris said, she has found the humorous side of the incident. Herpurpose in writing the "tough-in-cheek" letter wassimply to be funny, she said.

The letter, she added, was in connection with aseries of letters to the Globe in which writersaddressed collisions and rude behavior on the MDCpaths.

"I am not at all resentful," Parris said.Parris said she received a "very nice apology"from a lieutenant colonel at the MIT ROTC office.

The series of events, Parris said, proves that"the pen is mightier than the sword.

The letter, she added, was in connection with aseries of letters to the Globe in which writersaddressed collisions and rude behavior on the MDCpaths.

"I am not at all resentful," Parris said.Parris said she received a "very nice apology"from a lieutenant colonel at the MIT ROTC office.

The series of events, Parris said, proves that"the pen is mightier than the sword.