THE Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Mangilao was vandalized late last week, reported Daniel Mendiola, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Chapter 668.
A statue of three soldiers is erected on the monument, with two of the statues bearing dummy firearms. The plastic M16s were stolen from the statues’ hands. Mendiola said it will cost about $600 to replace the missing parts.
Also, four solar bulbs were removed from the memorial. After checking around the area, the bulbs were found wrapped in rags and lying in the grass several yards away behind the container used to store excess equipment.
The theft was discovered and reported on Saturday, June 30. VVA members think the theft may have taken place between the Wednesday and Friday evenings of last week.
“I can’t really make sense of why anybody would deface something that means a lot to Vietnam veterans,” Mendiola said.
However, possible motives for the crime include just plain mischief or an “ill and dissentive type of attitude,” Mendiola speculates.
Mendiola revealed that some members of the VVA believe the election for VVA president, held in April, was not valid and are not happy with the results.
The VVA is requesting the community for any information that may lead to the apprehension of the person or people responsible.
Concerned citizens can contact Daniel Mendiola at 788-8406.
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