Graffiti on memorial outrages vets (only memorial marker saluting airborne troops)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10279411

Published Monday | March 10, 2008
Graffiti on memorial outrages vets
BY KEVIN COLE
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

You could have heard a tear drop when two-dozen burly motorcycle riders stood in stunned silence in front of a recently vandalized World War II veterans monument Sunday in Heartland of America Park.

Then Clayton Hollister, commander of American Legion Post No. 1 in Omaha, put the scene in perspective.


Members of American Legion Post No. 1 in Omaha visit a memorial to World War II veterans at Heartland of America Park that was defaced by vandals.


"This memorial represents men and women who fought for our freedom, but whoever spray painted those . . . markings is abusing that freedom," said Hollister, a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam era.

Hollister said the group of veterans visited the downtown park after hearing that a memorial marker saluting airborne troops had been tagged with graffiti. Their visit comes just as the city aims to toughen penalties for graffiti violations.

The Omaha City Council on Tuesday will vote on an ordinance that would lengthen hours of community service and jail time and increase fines to businesses that sell spray paint to those younger than 18 without consent of a parent or guardian.

It was outrage, not policy, that drew the veterans on Sunday to this target of graffiti.


FULL story at link.

[thunder rising]

1. It's TERRA!! Get the fuck over it!