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The discovery of vandalism at the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial Friday morning has prompted the offer of a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the damage.

    City Manager Marc Maxwell discovered the damage in the memorial's kiosk along with damage to some of the giant memorial stone walls as well as a possible name.
    “The stones have been defaced, they've been scratched into with another rock, it looks like,” Maxwell said. “The artwork, apparently, was signed 'juggalo homies' which, I believe, is a reference to a certain band.”
    Police investigators were quickly summoned, and the vandalism is being considered a felony crime depending on the amount of damage done.
    “This is quarried limestone,” Maxwell said. “It isn't going to be cheap.”
    Don Roundtree, a member of Hopkins Count Veterans Memorial Committee who also helped design and supervise the construction of the memorial, was upset and deeply concerned with the disrespect shown by the vandalism.
    “Obviously, we would pursue any type of prosecution for this type of activity,” Roundtree said. “With the amount of effort that we've put into this [memorial], it is really an insult to us and is an insult to our entire community. Because of the nature of the memorial, and what it means to our community and to our veterans, and for the lack of respect that is shown here with this vandalism, that is a very significant concern that everyone with any responsibility or sense of pride in this community ought to take offense to.”
    The city of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County Veterans Memorial Committee are offering the $5,000 reward. To report any information related to this vandalism, call Crimestoppers at 903-885-2020 or Sulphur Springs Police Department at 903-885-7602.

Comments (11)

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A Disgrace.
written by a guest , August 31, 2012

You know, it is sad when I myself feel ashamed of this. It seems calling yourself a Juggalo means nothing to anyone anymore. I myself am a Juggalo, but have the highest respect for our vets. My grandfather is a Korean war vet, and it saddens me to see some one who claims to be the same thing as myself do this. And we wonder why we have been classified as a gang? Vandalism doesn't help our image, and those of us who work hard to be a decent part of society feel disrespected.

Veteran's Daughter
written by a guest , August 29, 2012

I went to the memorial to find my Father's name, his name is on the Courage wall, he fought in the Korean War and World War II. Whoever did this should be ashamed of themselves, and they should have to serve the maximum punishment available. It is a sad world that we live in these days, the vandals most likely have absolutely no clue what the men and women whose names are on the walls did so that they may live in a free country today. Just very very sad to know that some would go to such lengths to destroy such a memorial that those who built it worked so hard at and those whose names are on it gave so much to their country.

How disgraceful
written by a guest , August 28, 2012

My husbands name is on the respect wall. And has suffered from many things from Vietnam war. Their day will come for punishment

...
written by a guest , August 28, 2012

Our community has finally decided to upgrade landscape and try to improve the place we live . Angry ghetto trash will deface thier own environment hence ruining it for everyone.Could we just pull ourselves up people? Crap Weasels!

Mother of a US Marine
written by a guest , August 27, 2012

I am disgusted at the lack of respect any more.
The memorial represents those that gave their lives for their country. Cowards!
I am ashamed.
City resident of 23 years.
My father-in-law is on that wall. I cannot thank the veterans enough for their sacrifice. God forgive them for they know not what they do.
J. Moore

This is so upseting
written by a guest , August 25, 2012

my father's name in on the wall and I have not had a chance to see it yet. I hope they catch the sick people that did this and through them under the jail.

Proud Veteran's Daughter
written by a guest , August 25, 2012

This made me sick when I heard it. Then I got mad. How dare they deface the memorial? Do the vandals not understand or just don't care that the memorial is more than a piece of art. It represents the blood, sweat, and tears of those that serve and fought for our country. Many of those listed died fighting and some are still missing.

Freedom
written by a guest , August 25, 2012

This turns my stomach! The men and women who fought so they could be able to walk around free and do the most hideous crime!! Whatever the age They should be placed in a lock-up facility and maybe then they will understand that Hopkins Co will not stand for this type of behavior. Take away that freedom that evidently means nothing to them! Let's spend some money to install cameras!!!

Retired Navy
written by janet1943 , August 25, 2012

This is the ultimate cowardice! No respect for those who served their country, many who gave their lives so we (all) could be free. Find them, book them, try them, and when found guilty, put them away for a very long time.

Retired Navy!
written by a guest , August 25, 2012

This is the ultimate in cowardice! These cowards wouldn't or couldn't serve their country.

retired va
written by a guest , August 24, 2012

catch these people and lock them up for years. i was in the war and can not stand for these acts. i known hopkins cty law enforcement will catch these poeople.

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