Bridgeton City Park war monuments in disrepair

From NJ.com: Bridgeton City Park war monuments in disrepair
BRIDGETON — Before Bridgeton restores the recovered head from the Civil War statue, they should probably check out three other monuments in the immediate area first.

They may be eligible for a bulk discount.

“Honestly, it probably all happened at the same time,” said resident Bill Conway, who spotted the headless Civil War soldier earlier this month.

Upon inspection, he discovered what he believes was a paintball shot dead-center on the World War I memorial. The monument definitely has what can best be described as a green splat right in the middle. Other monuments in the area have green moss growing on them and this spot does not look like moss.

A single metallic decorative leaf at the top of the World War II monument is gone. On the Korean and Vietnam War memorials, the eagle’s left shoulder has a chip that extends onto its neck. Also, the crest is missing a chunk taken right out of the middle.

Conway said the damage “looks to me as if a rock had been thrown at it.”

Bridgeton Police Chief Mark Ott said Monday he can’t say whether the above damages were done recently.

“The damage that’s on the other monuments is not as noticeable as what had happened to the Civil War monument,” Ott said in an email.

Indeed, it would be hard to spot these chips, cracks and splats from the street.

Conway was out by the Veterans Memorial Park last week to meet with Rich Mendoza, captain of the 12th N.J. Company K Civil War re-enactors regiment.

Mendoza, who was also appointed by Gov. Christie to the New Jersey Civil War 150 Committee, contacted a number of authors, speakers and representatives from the History Channel after Conway’s discovery.

Conway was early to his interview and decided to check out the other memorials in the immediate area.

“I had never even looked at the other monuments,” he said. He was merely passing through when he discovered the situation at the Civil War statue. A keen eye soon turned him on to other states of disrepair.

Mendoza, who hails from Voorhees and works with a television production company, is on a warpath to restore the Civil War statue.

Both the head of the soldier and the eagle that adorns the front of the monument sit headless.

Mendoza is interested in launching a fundraiser to help restore the statue and is also planning on a concert, to be held in Bridgeton in February, that would also assist the
effort.

Ott and Mayor Albert Kelly were next to be interviewed after Conway. Since the Civil War statue discovery, Kelly has noted a restoration fund, though an official announcement has yet to be made.

Statewide and regional attention descended upon the area and the reward funds grew handsomely. The head was eventually uncovered nearby by work crews as leaves were being removed from the area.

Interestingly enough, there appears to be no damage to the small flags or flowers planted around the monuments.

When asked if he believes this is just thoughtless vandalism, Conway said “it’s not somebody with a purpose.” He agreed that the flags and flowers could have also been hit if vandals really wanted to inflict all-around damage.

“I know some people will take care of the restoration,” Conway said. “I would like to see whoever is responsible prosecuted.”