PITTSBURGH — The Federal Bureau of Investigation is now investigating the vandalism of a war memorial in Lawrenceville.
The War Memorial at Doughboy Square at the corner of 34th and Butler was vandalized on Memorial Day, a day meant to honor those who died in service the United States.
#BREAKING: War Memorial at 34th and Butler in Lawrenceville vandalized. It’s covered in red paint. Message reads “JUNE 19, 1986 GLORY TO THE DAY OF HEROISM!” pic.twitter.com/Go1AfoWtqH
— Mike Holden (@WPXIMikeHolden) May 25, 2020
Channel 11′s crew at the scene reported it was covered in red paint, had symbols painted on it and had a message reading “June 19, 1986 Glory to the day of Heroism!”
It’s not clear yet what the message means or who may be responsible for the vandalism.
Here is a map showing the location of the memorial:
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There are a number of surveillance cameras visible in that area and police said they were working to review the footage.
City officials said the memorial was put up in 1921 by Lawrenceville residents. The Department of Public Works was being brought in to start cleaning the monument.
Our Graffiti Removal Team is working to clean the @CityPGH Doughboy War Memorial in Lawrenceville after it was vandalized last night.@PLANPGH’s Public Art Division is on location to advise on properly cleaning the historic monument. pic.twitter.com/IPms2Won4u
— Pittsburgh Public Works (@PGHDPW) May 25, 2020
Mark Schram who served in the Air Force said honoring those who died in service to the country is a tradition for him and this vandalism had him seeing red.
“Breaks my heart. I go to the cemetery, my graves, my dad’s, my uncles. And I happen to come down and see Terry. And that’s I got,” Schram said.
People nearby said they will never forgive who did this.
“They should probably get a life and not be such a coward and do a cowardly act like this when no one is around,” Ken Macieski said.
Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich sent Channel 11 a statement:
“Vandalizing a memorial on any day is wrong, but it is incomprehensible to vandalize this memorial on a day in which we honor those who served and gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. Pittsburgh Police will vigorously investigate this crime. Anyone with information is asked to contact police immediately at (412) 323-7800.”
Check out the gallery below to see more of the vandalism:
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