Thieves stole items from Combat Veterans' Memorial

Veterans outraged by theft of items from memorial
Tri-City Herald
By Geoff Folsom
March 7, 2014

The boots and plaque are all that remain of the veterans memorial at Flat Top Park in West Richland. KRISTINA LORD — Tri-City Herald

The apparent theft of an M-16 rifle and helmet from a West Richland memorial has outraged Mid-Columbia veterans.

Dan Richey, a member of Combat Veterans International Chapter 3 who lives around the corner from Flat Top Park, noticed early last month that the rifle and helmet were missing from the top of the 2 rock they had been perched on for more than 12 years.

The bronze boots at the base of the sculpture also were damaged.

Richey said he checks The Final Tribute veterans memorial on his regular walks to the park, where he also monitors the memorial's nearby flags to ensure they're in good flying shape.

"I'm appalled and dismayed," he said. "I can't believe we have individuals in our neighborhood who would do such a thing."

Richey reported the vandalism to police. West Richland police are investigating the theft, said Sgt. Thomas Grego. Bobby Dale Albers of Kennewick, sergeant at arms for Combat Veterans International Chapter 3, said the theft and damage goes "way beyond vandalism."
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