Pennsylvania

Vandals Target Graves of Military Veterans

The search is on for a vandal or group of vandals who are targeting the graves of military veterans at cemeteries in Bensalem, Pa.

Police say the vandals targeted the Roosevelt Memorial Park on the 2700 block of Old Lincoln Highway and the Rosedale Memorial Park on the 3800 block of Richlieu Road. The first incident occurred at Roosevelt Memorial a few weeks ago but was not initially reported to police. Another incident occurred at Roosevelt over the weekend and a third occurred at Rosedale on Monday. 

“To happen at two cemeteries about a mile or two apart, clearly it seems like it’s the same person doing this and they’re upset over something,” said Bensalem Police Sergeant Bill McVey.

During the vandalisms, the suspects removed the American flags, flag holders and decorations from the graves, placed them in a pile and burned them. Police believe the vandals are specifically targeting the graves of military veterans.

“Most of them probably are veterans’ graves because some of the burn materials were veterans’ flag holders, for veterans,” McVey said. “So I would assume that most of them are veterans.”

Bensalem Police added extra patrols to local cemeteries as the investigation continues.

“I’m relieved that I came here and noticed that my parents’ grave was not touched,” said Barb Keenan, who buried her father, a military veteran, last June. “But I feel horrible for other families who have to come here and find that stuff is missing.

If you have any information on the vandals, please call Bensalem Police at 215-633-3719.
 

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