Vandals Deface Vietnam War Memorial In Venice

[Common]

Vandals defaced a memorial to Vietnam war veterans in Venice – an awful sight on this Memorial Day weekend. Stewart Oscars welled up as he looked at the vandalized mural located on Pacific Avenue near Sunset Court. It was covered in graffiti from end to end.
“This knocked me out. So sickening. Just sadness…think of all these people. They’re gone,” Oscars said. “I remember the Vietnam war and how friends went to war, and bodies came back. Somehow, it has to be taught that this is not a good idea. This is actually stupid.”
The memorial was dedicated to service members who were listed as missing in action during the Vietnam War.
George Francisco is the Vice President of the Venice Chamber of Commerce. He also runs a nonprofit called Veterans Foundation Incorporated.
“It’s a desecration. I mean it’s very simple. There’s no sort of other way around it. It isn’t graffiti,” Francisco said.
In March, Francisco helped to bring a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to Venice Beach. His father was a combat veteran in that war and also helped organize the effort to put up the mural in the late 1980’s.
“I’ve known the sacrifices these people made in an incredibly unpopular war. So to continue the mistreatment of Vietnam veterans is somewhat shocking, somewhat shocking and quite sad,” Francisco added.
People on this street said the memorial was tagged a few days ago. They said the graffiti matches some of the other ones in the neighborhood


http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2016/05/27/vandals-deface-vietnam-war-memorial-in-venice/

[sachem]

That is disgraceful.

[AZ Jim]

Once again HATRED rears it's ugly head. The America I once felt so much pride in, is slipping away.

[Common Sense]

Idiot children who probably have no idea what the Memorial means to people.

[exotix]

Obamas' Fault ... http://i67.tinypic.com/der8rc.gif

[Peter1469]

Obamas' Fault ... http://i67.tinypic.com/der8rc.gif

Go back to sleep.

[exotix]

Go back to sleep.Maybe it was Soros' fault ... LOL

[Dr. Who]

Vandals defaced a memorial to Vietnam war veterans in Venice – an awful sight on this Memorial Day weekend. Stewart Oscars welled up as he looked at the vandalized mural located on Pacific Avenue near Sunset Court. It was covered in graffiti from end to end.
“This knocked me out. So sickening. Just sadness…think of all these people. They’re gone,” Oscars said. “I remember the Vietnam war and how friends went to war, and bodies came back. Somehow, it has to be taught that this is not a good idea. This is actually stupid.”
The memorial was dedicated to service members who were listed as missing in action during the Vietnam War.
George Francisco is the Vice President of the Venice Chamber of Commerce. He also runs a nonprofit called Veterans Foundation Incorporated.
“It’s a desecration. I mean it’s very simple. There’s no sort of other way around it. It isn’t graffiti,” Francisco said.
In March, Francisco helped to bring a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to Venice Beach. His father was a combat veteran in that war and also helped organize the effort to put up the mural in the late 1980’s.
“I’ve known the sacrifices these people made in an incredibly unpopular war. So to continue the mistreatment of Vietnam veterans is somewhat shocking, somewhat shocking and quite sad,” Francisco added.
People on this street said the memorial was tagged a few days ago. They said the graffiti matches some of the other ones in the neighborhood


http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2016/05/27/vandals-deface-vietnam-war-memorial-in-venice/
Very sad and disrespectful of those who died.

[Common]

Very sad and disrespectful of those who died.

To those alive even moreso who honor those who gave all

[waltky]

Vietnam vets finally get long overdue recognition...
:cool2:
Vietnam Vets Finally Honored With 'The Welcome They Never Received'
30 Mar 2018 - These veterans say they weren't greeted by protestors when they returned from Vietnam, but they're glad for the recognition


When Shelly Holcomb of Boiling Springs flew back home from Vietnam in 1971 after serving two years in the Army Nurse Corps, she was told not by to wear her uniform when she got off the plane. U.S. Army veteran Jay Howard of Greenville, who also served in Vietnam for two years, also said he was told not to wear his uniform when he arrived home at Fort Lewis in Washington in 1972. That's because service members were aware that the American public opposed the war and that they would be the subject of protests and ridicule. But Holcomb and Howard said they weren't greeted by protesters, nor did they give much thought to what kind of welcome they'd receive. "We were just glad to get back home," Howard said. On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officially welcomed them and about 30 others at a ceremony at the University of South Carolina Upstate Readiness Center.

Pins were presented by Leanne Weldin, director of the VA's Columbia regional office and an Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. "When I returned home from convoy, a Vietnam veteran was there," Weldin said, wiping back tears. "This is to show the kind of welcome he never received." America's direct involvement in Vietnam started in March 1965 as the first Marines landed in Da Nang, followed by the first large-scale battles against the North Vietnamese Army in the la Drang Valley in November of that year. When the final troops were airlifted out in May 1975, the war's death toll included 58,307 Americans. The United States also saw 30,000 injured and tens of thousands disabled. Today there are an estimated 7 million Vietnam-era veterans and 9 million families of veterans. Roughly 7,500 women served in Vietnam, eight of whom were killed and 800 missing in action.


https://images01.military.com/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2018-03/vietnamveteranshonoredsouthcarolina1200.jpg?itok=L NdxYWBa
A special 50th anniversary pin ceremony to thank and honor the services of veterans of the Vietnam War was held at the University of South Carolina Upstate Readiness Center on Thursday. Gene Okerlund of Boiling Springs, left, lines up with his fellow veterans and guests during the service.

Thursday, each veteran received a pin commemorating their bravery, courage, integrity, patriotism and sacrifices. The pin included a message on the back, "A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You," along with the recipient's name. The ceremony also included a table with an empty chair, signifying the fallen heroes of the war. "Remember, all of you who served with them," said U.S. Army veteran Yolanda Lomax, who works with the VA. "They have not forgotten you." Marine veteran Ronnie Harrison, also a VA employee, said his federal agency is there to serve all veterans. "It is you who have paved the way for all of us," he said. "We will service your claim with conviction, with integrity. We hope when you leave here you will look at the VA as a totally different institution."

Several veterans said they were glad to be recognized, and a bit surprised that the turnout was not larger. "I wish more people could have come," said retired helicopter pilot Charlie Dowling of Glendale, who came to apply for benefits due to possible Agent Orange exposure. He said he served in Vietnam in 1962-63. Nathaniel Cooper of Columbia, who was an Army medic with the 25th Infantry Division, said he thought the recognition Thursday was "very appropriate." The ceremony coincided with a tumultuous week for the VA. President Donald Trump fired embattled Veterans Affairs Secretary David Chulkin and nominated Ronny L. Jackson, an active-duty rear admiral in the Navy, to replace him. Weldin said regardless of who ends up in charge in Washington, her mission in South Carolina remains the same. "We've gotten increasing budgets under the two most recent administrations," she said. "There are 360,000 employees in Veterans Affairs. We have 7,000 in South Carolina. We appreciate the leadership (in Washington), but our employees are here. We continue regardless of who's in leadership. We just keep marching." Weldin said veterans can find out more information about their benefits by visiting VA.gov or Vets.gov, or by calling 800-827-1000.

https://www.military.com/off-duty/2018/03/30/vietnam-vets-finally-honored-welcome-they-never-received.html

[Chloe]

For a brief second I was thinking to myself "why would there be a Vietnam War memorial in Venice, Italy anyway?" Thank God I read the article before asking that question publicly...

[rcfieldz]

Drunk and dope fueled vandals in Venice, Ca ...who'd a thought?

Stricter rules for buying spray paint needs to be enacted.

[stjames1_53]

Once again HATRED rears it's ugly head. The America I once felt so much pride in, is slipping away.
What are you complaining about? This was done by YOUR side of the fence.............Pride in Socialism? Now there's something new.........
AZ, this comes from so much tolerance that your side displays. Even Socialism has it's price. Yours wants to watch America burn....
Your side is so full of hatred and vitriol, I don't understand why you guys haven't been consumed by your own bile.

[waltky]

Ghloe...

... Uncle Ferd thinks...

... yer a honey.

[Shady Slim]

Ghloe...

... Uncle Ferd thinks...

... yer a honey.

. . . Me thinks . . .

. . . yer weird . . .

[Shady Slim]

Idiot children who probably have no idea what the Memorial means to people.



. . . says the dude with underwear over America.

[Grokmaster]

What are you complaining about? This was done by YOUR side of the fence.............Pride in Socialism? Now there's something new.........
AZ, this comes from so much tolerance that your side displays. Even Socialism has it's price. Yours wants to watch America burn....
Your side is so full of hatred and vitriol, I don't understand why you guys haven't been consumed by your own bile.
23216

[Max Rockatansky]

Vandals defaced a memorial to Vietnam war veterans in Venice – an awful sight on this Memorial Day weekend. Stewart Oscars welled up as he looked at the vandalized mural located on Pacific Avenue near Sunset Court. It was covered in graffiti from end to end.
“This knocked me out. So sickening. Just sadness…think of all these people. They’re gone,” Oscars said. “I remember the Vietnam war and how friends went to war, and bodies came back. Somehow, it has to be taught that this is not a good idea. This is actually stupid.”
The memorial was dedicated to service members who were listed as missing in action during the Vietnam War.
George Francisco is the Vice President of the Venice Chamber of Commerce. He also runs a nonprofit called Veterans Foundation Incorporated.
“It’s a desecration. I mean it’s very simple. There’s no sort of other way around it. It isn’t graffiti,” Francisco said.
In March, Francisco helped to bring a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to Venice Beach. His father was a combat veteran in that war and also helped organize the effort to put up the mural in the late 1980’s.
“I’ve known the sacrifices these people made in an incredibly unpopular war. So to continue the mistreatment of Vietnam veterans is somewhat shocking, somewhat shocking and quite sad,” Francisco added.
People on this street said the memorial was tagged a few days ago. They said the graffiti matches some of the other ones in the neighborhood


http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2016/05/27/vandals-deface-vietnam-war-memorial-in-venice/
FOR SALE: Italian battle rifle. Never fired, only dropped once.