A 27-year-old man is under arrest after he allegedly jumped a curb in his car to destroy a Memorial Day display for fallen soldiers in Henderson, Kentucky.
According to WFIE-TV, Anthony Burrus of Henderson was arrested after mowing down a swath of crosses in the town’s Central Park. The incident happened about 6 a.m. Saturday, when a number of the 5,000 crosses — each representing a member of the military who has passed away — were run over.
The 1979 Ford Thunderbird that caused the damage to the memorial was found at a McDonald’s a short distance away, according to the Henderson Gleaner. Pieces of the crosses were found in the car’s grille and a wooden stake was found in one of the tires.
Burrus admits that he drove the car to McDonald’s but says he abandoned it because it stopped working. Apparently, he didn’t connect the crosses stuck in the grille or the stake in the tire with the car’s sudden inability to work.
Right.
The 70-year-old display was repaired in a hurry by members of the community.
“I can’t see a true American, you know, doing anything like this, for the people that fought and died,” veteran Steve House told WFIE. House had four family members listed on the crosses, which cost $90 each.
“This is heartbreaking,” Kathy Tigue, whose three brothers are listed in the field of crosses, said. “How could someone be so cruel, so heartless is beyond me. God help whoever did it. It hurts these people, who have worked so hard.”
“For somebody to do this to a veteran who gave his life, I don’t understand. I don’t have any words. I’m speechless,” said Jim Hanley, a member of the local American Legion, who helped repair the memorial.
Burrus is charged with first-degree criminal mischief and leaving the scene of an accident. He’s being held at the Henderson County Detention Center, which may be the safest place for him right now.
Given that the car had to jump the curb and plow all the way through the park, it’s clear that this wasn’t an accident — and Burrus can’t even use the relative non-excuse of DUI to defend himself. This was a disgusting act against our veterans on a day where we should be remembering their sacrifice, and we can only hope he’s punished to the fullest extent of the law.
(via: Conservative Tribune)
