Vandalism painful for community
(Archived article @ Newsbank)
Theresa Armstrong ~ Grayson County News Gazette ~ 10/13/2010
Vandals that desecrated the graves of three World War II Veterans and a Korean War Veteran in Grayson County have stolen the special grave markers provided by the Veterans Administration.
Terry Mudd, overseer of the Vol Layman Cemetery in Millwood, arrived at the cemetery on Saturday morning to do some cleanup work and discovered three separate graves where vandals have destroyed the cement that held the bronze grave markers provided to each war veteran.
Mudd reported the crime to Sheriff Rick Clemons and notified the family members of the veterans of the missing grave markers.
Aileen Stewart, widow to one of the WWII Veterans whose grave marker was stolen, came to the cemetery with her son Carl Stewart JR. and viewed the damage first hand.
Her husband had fought in the war and she told stories of the time he spent defending his country.
“He fought for the freedom that these people are enjoying today and look what they have done," said Stewart. "Once he spent three months in a fox-hole and when he was finally able to take off his boots his skin peeled off with the boot."
As Stewart looked at the broken concrete of her husband's grave marker tears filled her eyes.
"Who would do such an awful thing as this," said Stewart. "I have never seen anything like this before."
A fourth grave was discovered Sunday when family members went to pay their respect at the Frank-Embry cemetery. The marker had the name PFC Cleveland Lacefield who fought in the Korean War. The marker, like the other three, was a bronze plate that was anchored in a cement base. The anchors were cut off and the bronze plate was removed.
Lacefield's brother reported that he had noticed a white Ford car, silver mid-sized truck and a dark red Ford small SUV at the graveyard in the past few days. On two separate occasions he chased off the red SUV and the white car.
"These vehicles may or may not have anything to do with the thefts but people should watch out for them at cemeteries," said Deputy Sheriff Jeff Kelsey." I believe the suspects might attempt to take another marker because of the location of cemetery."
Wendy Saltsman, of Top Dollar Recyclers, said the markers really have little value. A reputable recycler will not even accept such an item.
"If someone brought something like this in we would not even buy it and would contact the police," said Saltsman. "This is not really something you can get rid of very easily."
Clemons has vowed to do everything he could to find the person or people who did this and went as far as offering a $500 reward of his own money for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those involved with the vandalism.
"This is the worst crime I have seen since I have been in office. I cannot believe that someone would do something like this. These Veterans fought for our country,” said Clemons. "I will do everything in my power to find out who did this."
The officers at the American Legion Post 81 were notified of the damaged graves and immediately took action to see that the graves markers were replaced.
"We will make sure these veterans are honored," said American Legion Post 81 Commander Jim Lish. "We will replace the cement and the markers and restore the graves back to the way they were."
Theresa Armstrong can be reached at tarmstrong@gcnewsgazette.com.
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