Broken and torn. Ripped from its base. I feel regret and disgust when I see this statue’s plinth, located at the American Legion Hut on Greenville Street. Regret for not getting a photograph before the statue was vandalised. Disgust that someone or someones would destroy a public memorial. I’m guessing the vandals took the statue for its metal? It was made of pressed copper, from one account. There is a $5,000 reward for information about the culprits.
The plaque at the base reads “Spirit of the American Doughboy.” Doughboys – a nickname for U.S. World War I soldiers. More pictures here of the statue’s desecration and info about its sculptor.
I would think that this sort of thing will attract a fair punishment. They don’t take to people who damage war memorials here in Australia, I would think that the US would be the same.
Comment by Kris McCracken — August 12, 2008 @ 10:57 pm
That’s really disgusting to steal a monument.
Comment by Elsa — August 21, 2008 @ 8:30 pm