Posted on 07/25/2007 3:03:29 AM PDT by Sergeant Tim
Northern Michigan's 9&10news.com (CBS TV affiliate) has the story:
"Its the idea that somebody vandalizing something that means so much to so many, I have trouble understanding," an anguished Linda Fabian said while viewing a memorial to a fallen Marine from Mt. Pleasant, MI, that had been vandalized.
When Lance Corporal Justin Ellsworth died in Iraq on November 13, 2004, Fabian got to work making sure Ellsworth and all the troops who put their lives on the line would not be forgotten. Fabian's own son served two tours in Iraq.
"It wasn't about how big it was, it wasn't about how extraordinary of a monument, its what it meant and what it represented," Fabian said.
Police say someone twisted what it represents. They bent a twenty-foot flagpole, draped that flag on the monument, burned a part of the flag, stole a bronze eagle, and destroyed a lot of the flowers and plants that surround it.
"So many kids from around here have been to Iraq, are going to Iraq; they're protecting the very people that are doing this to our monument," Fabian said.
The Mount Pleasent Police Department is investigating yet, "At this point it's pretty wide open. We don't have any suspects or major leads to go on," a spokesman said. Police hope the community will bring them answers to who did this to their community's monument.
Fabian said the strange thing is, in all the damage that was done, the daisies here are the one thing that survived. They were Justin Ellsworth's favorite flower. "Justin loved daisies and if you look, they only thing that really survived are Justin's daisies," Fabian pointed out.
If you would like to donate money to help fix the memorial in Mount Pleasant, there is an account set up at Isabella Bank & Trust under the name Justin Ellsworth.
The memorial in Mount Pleasant was designed by Gregg Garvey, of Florida, as part of the Lest They Be Forgotten memorial effort. Mr. Garvey began his not for profit campaign to create, establish and help maintain hometown remembrances of our men and women who have lost their lives defending the United States of America in our war against terrorism after his own son, Army Sergeant Justin W. "Hobie" Garvey, was killed in an ambush in Iraq on July 20, 2003.
A video report by 9&10 News' Mona Nair and photojournalist Bridgette Pacholka can be viewed here.
Ping!
This burns me up. Yeah, imagine that, right? I’d almost prefer to believe that it was mindless vandalism by mindless teenage punks on their summer vacation, but based on the damage done, it appears to be the misdeed of a leftist kook. In other words, a typical Democrat these days. I’m okay with them showing their true colors, but not in this way. Not at all. Whoever these vandals were, it’ll be a disgrace if they’re not busted, and it’s a damn shame they weren’t caught in the act. By a couple of veterans, that is, not cops.
Five minutes. Just five minutes with the liberal POS that did this.
Make no mistake-it WAS a moonbat that did it, it has all the hallmarks.
Liberalism (or as Hillary calls it...PROGRESSIVISM) is a mental disease.
This enrages me. I don’t really give a flip as to whether the punks who did this are anti-war, or just young kids, although I would assume it was a statement considering the flag was used and burned. It is the total disrespect. Unfortunately, even if they are found the punishment will not fit the crime. I think they should have the snot knocked out of them and be forever ridiculed by the community.
Just more liberal Democrats showing their support of the troops.
Yeah, just don’t question their patriotism </sarcasm>
The Marines that are memorialized there gave their lives for the disrespectful, shameless, ones who vandalized this place of honor.
The vandals, apparently, never gave a thought to the sacrifices made for them, and what that may have entailed.
They stood shoulder to shoulder with our enemy as they were doing this hateful deed. It makes me almost wish that they would have to defend themselves against that hate-filled enemy face to face. Maybe then they would appreciate what they dishonored here.
God bless our military people and their families. Thank God for each of you and your love and service to our country. You are loved and appreciated.
Central Michigan University (in Mt. Pleasant) is hosting a high school wrestling camp this week that my son is attending. His team would be more than happy to straighten out the punks...
I wish! Bring the pukes into the gym and have them be practice dummies. I am picturing some skinny little brat with strangly hair getting twisted into a pretzel crying like a baby. Or maybe be scout team for a div. 1 college football team only they can’t wear any pads or helmets. Just pummel the poop out of them for a week straight. I bet they would remember their punishment. Instead they’ll probably get community service and probation and wear it as a badge of honor. It’s ashame we’ve gotten past the point of using a good beating as a deterent.
Puny cowardly POS who did this. A public and private humiliation should do it when they catch the twerp.
Our society as a whole does not teach about sacrafice, freedom, respect, honor or courage. We've become a culture of instant gratification, Me Me Me, excuses and no responsibility. Look at the intellects and the Dems that support the liberal ideology. They are basically spineless and fearful. They stand for absolutely nothing. They hold absolutely nothing sacred. If there are no boundries then they don't have to make hard decisions or put themselves out on a limb. Think back to when you were a kid, your parents taught you about respect. Respect is a hard thing because it is earned and needs to be maintained. Now we teach are kids tolerance. To me tolerance means tough sh!t, deal with it.
God has a place all set up for these people; and their long, twisted road to that place starts now. They will not just live a long and happy life and at death suddenly drop into hell; it will be a painful and exacting process for the rest of their lives.
Five minutes alone with me or two minutes with freema their choice of fates.
If you would like to donate money to help fix the memorial in Mount Pleasant, there is an account set up at Isabella Bank & Trust under the name Justin Ellsworth.Thanks for the ping. I've called the bank, and here's the procedure for making a donation to the new account that has been set up to repair the memorial:
Send your donation, with a cover note indicating that your check is for the account of Justin Ellsworth that has been set up to repair his memorial, to the following address:
Isabella Bank & Trust
Attn: Tammy Kenny
139 East Broadway
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Thanks for posting my friend. There is nothing lower than the depravity behind such a heinous act. My prayers to this gallant soldier and his beloved family and to all you cherish the uniform of our military.
May the person(s) involved, pay dearly for this atrocious display of cowardice.
Ping
What a bunch of ignorant fools. To do such a disgrace on a fallen hero. May they burn in hell!!
[Mrs T]
I want to get in the line directly behind you when you are done. This kind of thing makes me angrier than I can possibly express here. Those that did this need to be found, and when found, their names need to be published.
This is the lowest of the low especially a memorial for
Marines.
My dad was in the 1st Marine Div. in Korean War.
Have relatives today in 1st Marines who have served in Iraq.
PGR ping!
Posting this on the Michigan Forum.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Absolutely!
No doubt!
I'd love to meet up with the pansie putred POS with a pick ax handle myself for just one minute. Hell, I'd settle for just 30 seconds.
Amen!!!
I double that.
[MrsT]
Ping
I can’t believe you think it would take me that long.
Getting ready to write a check. And saying prayers for the family of Justin Ellsworth.
I don't, I just thought you might want to savor the moment.
A couple of years several nitwits had the book thrown at them for dumping red paint on the stupid Joe Louis fist monument in Detroit. A hate crime they said. Tantamount to a cross burning. Lock 'um up, throw away the key.
I wonder if this will generate the same level of outrage: The ACLU will probably claim it was protected speech under the first amendment.
I am at a loss for words...
But, will spread the word as far as donations go to repair the damage done.
Semper Fidelis,
fontman
The true memorial for this Marine and everyone that has served and has been KIAed or WIA is in our hearts. No one can remove that memorial, not even Satan.
True, that.
Why? I wonder how much heartache one family can endure when there are only limited ways to remember our love one who was killed defending this country, FYI Vandalizers, this means you too. Granted you are able to express yourself as well about the war but why a memorial that one mother poured her heart into to help my family remember Justin. It is a peaceful setting that I enjoy going to and remember all the good times I shared with my nephew. Many of you may not know but my family truly didnt get a proper good bye to Justin, his casket had to be closed and so for many of us we remember Justin in his younger years. I remember driving to Mt Pleasant several times to pick him up whether it was going to breakfast or taking him up north to go camping with the rest of our family. Yes Mt Pleasant and that memorial serves as alot of things to us. May not be able to see him directly but the memories of visiting him are relived everytime I visit that memorial. I dont really care what your opinion of the war maybe but remember you are not here because your mother gave birth to you, You are here because the Brave soliders like my nephew Justin gave their life so you could keep your freedom. May the thought of tearing out this Marines family heart wear on your mind and make you really think about what you have done. I hope you find it in your hearts to come clean now because who knows what will happen in your afterlife. Remember the Marines are the guards at heavens gate and trust me they will show no mercy. To everyone else thank you for your support and a very special thank you to Linda Fabian who takes time out of her busy life to make ours a little brighter.
“the Marines are the guards at heavens gate”
If called, I salute each one as I enter.
“the Marines are the guards at heavens gate”
If called, I’ll salute each one as I enter.
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