As the nation prepared last week to celebrate its independence
and pay tribute to the men and women who have bravely served, vandals entered the cemetery and desecrated the veterans' burial
area.
"It's pathetic that someone would do something like this," said Don Burkholder, president of the Connellsville Veterans
Commission. "These are the men that fought so bravely to make sure these kind of people are able to enjoy freedom and democracy.
"For
them to turn around and do something like this is unthinkable."
The incident, according to state police trooper Robert
A. McGraw, took place between 9 p.m. June 30 and 9:30 a.m. July 1. The damage included spray-painting derogatory words about
veterans on a walkway and placing an "X" on a plaque that dedicates the area to the soldiers.
Since then, workers at the
cemetery have been able to remove the pink paint from a concrete area, but the marker will have to be disassembled and taken
elsewhere to be refurbished.
Although the cost to make the repairs totals a mere $50, Burkholder said the disrespect shown
to the deceased war veterans cannot be calculated.
"Why would someone want to destroy a memorial?" he said.
To assist
the police investigation, Burkholder said, the Connellsville Veterans Commission has posted a $1,000 reward for information
that would lead to an arrest and conviction of those responsible for the vandalism.
Burkholder speculates that the damage
was done under the cover of darkness and out of the sight of those traveling along Route 119, where the cemetery is located.
No other damage was incurred at the cemetery.
"Hopefully someone will come forward and report the person or persons that
intentionally targeted the veterans area," he said.
Richard Brooks, president of the corporation, said approximately 1,900
veterans have been laid to rest in the cemetery.
"What is disturbing to us is that someone would single out the veterans,"
he said. "We obviously owe them a great debt of gratitude. We certainly wouldn't be where we are today if it were not for
our veterans."
The vandalism follows a series of similar incidents taking place in Uniontown where several flags and flagpoles
have been destroyed.
Joe T. Joseph, Department of Pennsylvania Americanism chairman and American Legion Post 51 member,
said that over a period of two weeks in June 17, flags and poles were slashed and bent and had to be removed.
The Legion
post had placed 850 American flags and 50 POW/MIA flags along city streets.
"This is a terrible showing of patriotism on
their part," Joseph said of the vandals.
The Uniontown veterans' organization is offering a $500 reward for information
relating to the incident.
Burkholder, meanwhile, said he is saddened that anyone would target a cemetery or a symbol that
represents the nation at any time of the year.
"It's senseless," he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call
McGraw at 724-439-7111.
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AMERICANS WORKING TOGETHER
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VANDALS ATTACK VETERANS GRAVES
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