By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Less than two weeks after the Supreme Court ruled to allow a memorial to the nation’s war dead to remain standing in the Mojave Desert, thieves ripped down and stole the historic metal cross.
Fox News is reporting that the seven-foot-tall memorial that was erected 75 years ago in memory of Americans who gave their lives during World War I, was stolen sometime Sunday night or early Monday morning.
Linda Slater, a representative of the National Park Service, told the Associated Press that the thieves managed to steal off with the cross by cutting the metal bolts that attached it to a site known as Sunrise Rock in the desert preserve. Slater said possible suspects range from scrap metal scavengers to people “with an interest in the case.”
The legal battle invoving the cross began years ago when a former park service employee and the ACLU filed suit saying the memorial violated the separation of church and state because it was erected on government-owned property. The years-long legal battle was settled only two weeks ago when the Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 decision to allow the cross to remain because the land had since been sold to private owners.
The theft has sparked outrage from all corners. “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 Veteran’s of Foreign War (VFW) National Commander Thomas J. Tradewell Sr. in a written statement.
“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 VFW has promised to erect a new memorial at the same location.
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