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| -Lurid Crime Tales- |
| Thieves Steal Mojave Desert Memorial Cross in Nighttime Heist |
| 2010-05-11 |
| The 7-foot-tall metal cross that has stood in California's Mojave Desert for 75 years and withstood a hard-fought battle in the Supreme Court was ripped down and stolen Sunday night, according to state officials. "This is an outrage, akin to desecrating people's graves," said Kelly Shackelford, president of the Liberty Institute, which represents the caretakers of the Mojave Desert War Memorial. "It's a disgraceful attack on the selfless sacrifice of our veterans. We will not rest until this memorial is re-installed." The National Park Service says someone cut the metal bolts holding the metal-pipe cross to the top of Sunrise Rock and made off with it Sunday night or before dawn on Monday. Veterans groups are outraged at the theft of the memorial symbol that was erected in 1934 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars to honor World War I dead. "To think anyone can rationalize the desecration of a war memorial is sickening, and for them to believe they won't be apprehended is very naïve," said VFW National Commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr. in a written statement. The 75-year-old monument was the target of a legal challenge from the ACLU, which charged the cross is a religious symbol that shouldn't be allowed on public land. The U.S. Supreme Court last month refused to order that it be torn down, as the land had already been sold to private owners. |
| Posted by:Sherry |
| #7 There's no hate like liberal hate. |
| Posted by: DMFD 2010-05-11 19:17 |
| #6 #4 It needs to be rebuilt, larger, stronger, and with some sensors hidden about it. Imagine the surprise of the vandals, waking up in northern Mexico, far from the border. With no ID. Or money. Or shoes. I like it 'moose, but, maybe a perimeter 100KvA bolt-removal actuated underground zapper should be included with the replacement? |
| Posted by: Uncle Phester 2010-05-11 15:51 |
| #5 Anonymoose is channeling Angleton9? |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2010-05-11 15:17 |
| #4 It needs to be rebuilt, larger, stronger, and with some sensors hidden about it. Imagine the surprise of the vandals, waking up in northern Mexico, far from the border. With no ID. Or money. Or shoes. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2010-05-11 14:09 |
| #3 My relatives are crying out from the grave. I will contribute to whatever fund there is, to replace this symbol. Those in whose honor this was erected, gave their all for this country, those who destroy it have no idea of the cost. It will be replaced, 7 times 70 if necessary. |
| Posted by: Slimbanker003 2010-05-11 14:06 |
| #2 Put another one up, make it a federal monument, find who did it. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2010-05-11 13:15 |
| #1 the aclu shouldn't be allowed on public land. |
| Posted by: armyguy 2010-05-11 12:42 |