GREENVILLE, N.C. - Brass boots are all that remain of a Veterans Memorial statue, now tarnished by vandalism and larceny.
"This is not just a crime against the city or a crime against the monument, it's a crime against our veterans and the police department is taking it as such."
The statue at the Greenville Veterans Memorial was added in 2007. Now, while boots are still bolted down, the rifle and helmet are nowhere to be found.
An act of larceny that veteran James Kladis says couldn't have happened at a worst time.
"Veterans Day is around the corner. We have a Veteran’s Day ceremony and parade on November 11 and now we don't even have our monument," said Kladis.
He says that removing the rifle would have been no easy task as it was bolted down between the boots, meaning someone would have had to move it back and forth to be able to release it, and that could be a potential sign as to why the boots are loose.
Veteran Bob Sheck says it's not about the destruction of a monument, but rather, ripping away the meaning of the piece.
"I was just appalled that someone would desecrate our monument like this; this is a monument to honor all those that gave their lives in defense of our basic freedoms and our constitution of the United States," said Sheck.
"It's like somebody stole or kidnapped my family, but it's deeper than that…" said Al Rice, Vietnam Veteran.
A depth only those who've seen war can understand, now marred and covered by one selfish act.
It could cost $10,000 to replace the missing pieces.
Greenville Parks & Recreation is working to repair the statue.
Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest.
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GREENVILLE, N.C. - Greenville Police say the rifle and helmet were stolen from the Veterans statue in the Greenville Town Common. They responded to the call around 7 p.m. Sunday.
Gary Fenton with Greenville Parks & Recreation says they are working to get the statue repaired as soon as possible.
The stone memorial was dedicated back in 1989 and the addition of the Veterans statue consisting of a soldier’s helmet, rifle and boots were added in 2007.
Local Pitt County veterans along with others donated the money to have the statue placed at the monument.
Fenton says, for the time being, they will place a sign near the memorial mentioning that it is under repair and are considering covering it until the repairs are complete.
The theft is being investigated by the Greenville police.
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