Jul 8, 2005 2 min read

It takes a special kind of worthless punk to desecrate a veterans’ cemetery, defiling the final resting place of those who served their country. But that’s what happened at Veterans’ Circle in Green Ridge Memorial Park in Bullskin Township, where Neanderthals apparently still roam the terrain. We have to wonder about the humanity of anyone who thinks it “cool” to spray-paint derogatory words about veterans on a walkway or place an “X” on a plaque dedicated to veterans. Especially when the heinous act takes place around the Fourth of July, when the nation celebrates its freedom and democratic values.

While this vandal or vandals may think they are shrewd, funny or daring, they are none of the above. What they are is, in no certain order, disrespectful, immoral and cowardly. It takes no special daring-do or courage to sneak in under cover of darkness, as speculated by the president of the Connellsville Veterans Commission, and show such disrespect. Attempting it in broad daylight, preferably with a half-dozen living veterans around, would be far more credible. But that might lead to someone getting a well deserved licking – and we’d bet on the vets, no matter their era of service.

Such actions were unthinkable in prior generations, when good, clean fun and a dollop of mischief could be had in far less offensive manner. It’s a sign of the times, and quite frankly a failure of parenting, that anyone would even think of carrying out such desecration. Perhaps some of us don’t mind living in a “Jerry Springer Nation,” but let’s hope that they remain a tiny minority.

The aforementioned veterans’ group, headed by Don Burkholder, has offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of these vandals. Here’s hoping that someone earns that money.Saving Private Ryan