Veterans’ Graves Destroyed Before Veterans’ Day

WIVB 4
Mary Chastain

People discovered vandalized gravestones and urns of veterans at a cemetery in West Bridgewater, MA, only days before Veterans Day.

“It’s kind of a mix between sadness and anger,” explained Lauren Delaney, a board member of the Old Pleasant Hill Cemetery in West Bridgewater. “This is part of people’s history, people that come to remember, people that come to honor the veterans.”

She continued: “This is the fourth time since 2012 that we’ve had vandalism. Each time it’s been before a holiday. And 95-percent of the stones hit have been veterans. This isn’t something one person can be going through here and doing.”

Delaney told the media “it usually takes up to four people to carry the stones that were targeted.” Joyce Comeau visited her husband’s grave, only to find the tombstone that said “Forever soul mates” toppled and ruined.

“She came down here … to visit her husband’s grave because it was their anniversary yesterday,” she said. “To find the stone knocked over. The fact that it being near Veterans Day, being the day of their anniversary. It’s heartbreaking,”

Unfortunately, the cemetery does not have any security cameras. The police do not have any leads.

“It’s just unheard of,” commented Lt. Victor Flaherty of the West Bridgewater Police Department. “It’s just disgraceful. If anyone had seen something or anybody hears things or social media, just give us a tip and we’ll take it from there.”

The cemetery is raising money for security cameras. Donations can be given at their GoFundMe page.

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