Philadelphia’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial Vandalized: Significant Damage Caused
A solemn memorial in Philadelphia, dedicated to honoring brave American military service members who fought and lost their lives while serving in the Vietnam War, has been targeted by vandals, according to the caretakers.
Terry Williamson, the president of the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial, has reported that vandals inflicted around $20,000 worth of damage on the memorial, marking the most substantial harm it has suffered in its 36-year history.
Williamson expressed his frustration, stating, “Despite our efforts to move forward, these troublemakers seem to set us back even further. Our plans for critical maintenance, including repairing hazardous walkways near the Memorial, will have to be postponed.”
The recent act of vandalism has left behind a trail of destruction, including wrecked light fixtures, stolen medal medallions, and even skate guards. The extent of the damage to the memorial’s marble is still being evaluated.
According to Williamson, the incident occurred within the past four to five days.
Efforts are now underway to collect funds for the repair work. The damage includes the removal of 20 “Star” skate toppers from the marble surface, along with the removal or smashing of 10 recess light covers and several light fixtures.
The memorial holds the names of 648 Philadelphia natives who lost their lives in the Vietnam conflict, mirroring the significance of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial located in Washington D.C.