Vandals Deface Post Falls American Legion War Memorial

KXLY.com: Vandals Deface Post Falls American Legion War Memorial
POST FALLS, Idaho -- Veterans and community members are angry, asking why someone would deface a war memorial in Post Falls, spray painting "War Pig" on Vietnam War era armored personnel carrier.

The M113 APC, along with an M-60 tank, are outside the American Legion post in Post Falls, a place that they've sat for the last 14 years. They've never been defaced until earlier this week.

"This is against all the American people, not just me, not just the American Legion, against the people," Post Falls American Legion commander John Dunlap said.

The vehicles were defaced sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, leaving veterans and community members asking why?

"To me they are putting us down and all we are trying to do is help the veterans, veterans coming home and in need," American Legion employee Cherry Farmer said.

Many call it disrespectful and wrong, and now the Post Falls police are looking into it.

"Obviously the verbage has some type of connection to the American Legion. I don't think it was a direct retaliation to the American Legion," Post Falls Police detective Greg McLellan said.

The graffiti hit a nerve with community members and veterans alike, but it could also be part of a larger graffiti problem in the city. Police have seen an uptick in graffiti over the last month in the area where the American Legion is located.

Police don't think what happened at the American Legion is related to other vandalism in the neighborhood.

"These ones specifically don't match up to anything we've had on other fences but like I said because they are here and we have the American Legion they may have changed their style," Detective McLellan said.

Police have no suspects and can't say if there is more than one group out there, but they are hoping someone can offer information to help.

If you have any information you can call Post Falls Police at (208) 773-3517