Massachusetts authorities are searching for the suspects that vandalized the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Boston.
Massachusetts authorities are searching for the suspects that vandalized the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Boston.
Patricia McCormack reported the damage to state police Thursday afternoon.
"They came prepared to do damage and they did damage," McCormack said.
When troopers arrived at the location on Morrissey Boulevard to investigate, they saw that landscaping around the memorial had been damaged extensively. In addition, an American flag was cut and a Massachusetts flag was taken off the flagpole and found nearby with trash dumped on top. Bricks were also thrown at the memorial which left marks on the stone.
Authorities said a POW-MIA flag that had been at the memorial was apparently stolen.
For Vietnam Veteran Joseph Zinck, seeing the vandalism is heartbreaking. He helped build the memorial more than 30 years ago for fallen Dorchester soldiers.
"I was just devastated. I can't make rhyme or reason why somebody would damage it," Zinck said.
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Zinck hopes to see it all rebuilt soon while he continues to serve his hometown while honoring those who never came home.
Zinck and other members of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Committee estimate it will cost about $20,000 to replace what was ruined.
"It has to be somebody that is very, very angry at something or somebody to do this," said Zinck. "It was done with purpose because somebody had a chainsaw or some kind of saw to cut the trees and some kind of weapon to cut the ropes for the memorial."
It's likely that the memorial won't be able to be repaired until the spring when the weather gets warmer.
Anyone with information about the vandalism is urged to contact Massachusetts State Police at 617-740-7710.
