Some people have no class
I can't believe there are idiots who'd do something like that. I hope they're caught and dealt with.
WOODSTOCK -- Remnants of a swastika spray-painted on the city's cenotaph marred yesterday's Remembrance Day observance, outraged veterans and drew a tough warning by the police chief.
Calling the defacing of the war memorial "a disgusting distraction," Police Chief Rod Freeman said those responsible will not only have to go before the courts, but also face a panel of veterans.
"We'll bring this vandal before a small group of vets and they can describe their intent to the vets," he said.
The cenotaph was vandalized the night before the ceremony with the symbol used by Nazis.
Mayor Michael Harding said he was "embarrassed, ashamed and angry" the symbol had marred the Remembrance Day service.
"This is one of the most hated symbols, I think in the world," he said.
The vandalism was pointedly noted by those conducting services at the cenotaph in Victoria Park.
Rev. Peter Grogan urged officials to do whatever it takes "to clean up this mess" on "the sacred stone."
He also had a message for the culprit: "As a Christian minister, I would forgive you . . .," he said. "As an Irishman, I would say you are the scum of the Earth."
Howard Champeau, Branch 55 Woodstock Legion president, choked back tears when asked about the vandalism.
"It's such a despicable thing -- I don't understand why anybody would do a thing like that," he said. "It really bothered an old veteran, I can tell you that. That's something that should never, never happen."
Champeau noted similar vandalism had occurred on the air cadet building located on the grounds of the legion earlier this year.
Freeman urged anyone with information about the attack on the cenotaph.
"I am certain that someone knows who is responsible for this despicable act of vandalism," Freeman said.
Woodstock has been plagued in recent months by vandalism involving swastikas and the word Nazi spray-painted on several public buildings, including the art gallery.
But Freeman said he believes the cenotaph graffiti isn't related to previous incidents.
"It's another mindless individual," he said.
Freeman said police were alerted to the vandalism early yesterday. City workers made it a priority to clean up, "out of respect for veterans."
Calling the defacing of the war memorial "a disgusting distraction," Police Chief Rod Freeman said those responsible will not only have to go before the courts, but also face a panel of veterans.
"We'll bring this vandal before a small group of vets and they can describe their intent to the vets," he said.
The cenotaph was vandalized the night before the ceremony with the symbol used by Nazis.
Mayor Michael Harding said he was "embarrassed, ashamed and angry" the symbol had marred the Remembrance Day service.
"This is one of the most hated symbols, I think in the world," he said.
The vandalism was pointedly noted by those conducting services at the cenotaph in Victoria Park.
Rev. Peter Grogan urged officials to do whatever it takes "to clean up this mess" on "the sacred stone."
He also had a message for the culprit: "As a Christian minister, I would forgive you . . .," he said. "As an Irishman, I would say you are the scum of the Earth."
Howard Champeau, Branch 55 Woodstock Legion president, choked back tears when asked about the vandalism.
"It's such a despicable thing -- I don't understand why anybody would do a thing like that," he said. "It really bothered an old veteran, I can tell you that. That's something that should never, never happen."
Champeau noted similar vandalism had occurred on the air cadet building located on the grounds of the legion earlier this year.
Freeman urged anyone with information about the attack on the cenotaph.
"I am certain that someone knows who is responsible for this despicable act of vandalism," Freeman said.
Woodstock has been plagued in recent months by vandalism involving swastikas and the word Nazi spray-painted on several public buildings, including the art gallery.
But Freeman said he believes the cenotaph graffiti isn't related to previous incidents.
"It's another mindless individual," he said.
Freeman said police were alerted to the vandalism early yesterday. City workers made it a priority to clean up, "out of respect for veterans."
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