‘Slap in the face’: Flagpole toppled, flags vandalized at Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Deschutes Memorial Gardens

(Update: adding video, comments from veterans, DCSO has few leads)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The recently renovated Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the Deschutes Memorial Garden in Bend has been vandalized, and not for the first time -- distressing many veterans, especially those who help oversee the monument.

"It's like someone just kicked me in the stomach," says Vietnam veteran Bill Gabriel, the education events grant officer for the Marine Corps League.

Gabriel is understandably frustrated as he shows us the damage at the memorial, which he was one of the key players in building.

Robert Cusick, district commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), said, "They dishonor these veterans here named on this wall, because they were killed in action, And this would be an insult to all veterans - not only the Vietnam veterans, Korean War veterans, World War II - all of the veterans that gave their lives to our country. That right here is a slap in the face."

The damage amounts to about $2,500. The flagpole used to be anchored three feet below ground, with 1.5 to two feet of cement below the surface, which shows those who pulled it down really had to work at it.

Gabriel said, "We put 12 bolts in that flag. It was put in with a bracket that had a bolt through the top so it could slide out again."

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was first dedicated in 1968. It was then rededicated to Central Oregon last last March - but before the rededication, the same flagpole was also ripped out and tossed in the bushes above the monument.

"It's a cemetery," Gabriel said. "Who should come bother a cemetery? They're despicable people."

Not only was the flagpole ripped from the ground, but the American flag and Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag also were ripped from the pole.

Cusick said, "I defended that flag, our country. To me, someone that's doing this is showing disregard and disrespect to this country."

Gabriel added: "If you have the guts to get it down, have the guts to do it in front of us Vietnam veterans. Get in front of the camera and tell me why you tore down our memorial, our flag that represents our country."

According to Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, the cemetery does not have any cameras. They said the individual who reported the crime refused to speak with deputies. Because of that, they don't have any leads so far in the investigation.

DCSO encourages anybody with information to report it to the non-emergency dispatch number, (541) 693-6911.

But to add a less distressing note: Advanced Northwest Welding will be providing a new flagpole free of charge.

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