Posted on 11/11/2012 8:02:12 PM PST by Steelfish
Plaque Stolen From Boyle Heights Veterans Memorial November 11, 2012
For 65 years, an obelisk-like monument has stood on Cesar Chavez Avenue in Boyle Heights, a tribute to Mexican Americans who gave their lives in war for the United States.
Then, sometime in October, thieves struck, making off with one of the large bronze plaques that had been fixed to the “Mexican American All Wars Memorial” in 1947. They also took two smaller ones nearby.
The motive may be money: The metal may be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars to an unscrupulous firms that bale it with other scrap and ship it to China.
To many in the community, however, it's worth is invaluable, as a historical artifact and as a symbol of a community's sacrifice.
On Veterans Day, City Councilman Jose Huizar, along with Tony Zapata, of VFW Post 4696 and LAPD Det. Bill Eagleson gathered at the memorial to honor veterans and to ask that the plaque be returned.
Huizar has asked the City Council to approve a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thieves.
“This is sacred and hallowed ground, and for somebody to come and desecrate it, it’s a major affront to our veterans and our community,” Huizar said in a statement.
Metal theft has reached epidemic levels in California.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...
Some illegal democrap traded the bronze for some hooptie rimz
The Irony is that it was probably stolen by Mexicans.
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