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Merrimack Valley
Vietnam Veterans Memorial defaced
Published: September 1, 2007
ANDOVER - The lyrics of a 1970s protest song and a reference to Iraq were scrawled on the town's Vietnam Veterans Memorial this week.
"War, what is it good for, absolutely nothin," was written in red marker along with a peace sign.
Near the base of the memorial where the phrase "our cause is just" is etched, a vandal wrote "just like in Iraq."
The lyrics are from "War," a song that Motown soul singer Edwin Starr popularized in 1970.
Michael Burke, director of veteran services, covered the graffiti with blue painter's tape and paper yesterday, while he decided how to best remove it.
There was no structural damage to the stone monument which was dedicated May 29, 2006, in The Park near the corner of Chestnut and Whittier streets, close to Town Offices.
The Park is a popular teenage hangout on summer nights.
Police Lt. Harry Collins said the vandalism was under investigation.
Burke said he would call in Methuen Monument to assess the damage.
"We could probably scrub it off, but we don't want to damage the monument," he said.
In Haverhill earlier this summer, vandals ruined parts of a Korean War Memorial and spray painted a World War II monument.
"War, what is it good for, absolutely nothin," was written in red marker along with a peace sign.
Near the base of the memorial where the phrase "our cause is just" is etched, a vandal wrote "just like in Iraq."
The lyrics are from "War," a song that Motown soul singer Edwin Starr popularized in 1970.
Michael Burke, director of veteran services, covered the graffiti with blue painter's tape and paper yesterday, while he decided how to best remove it.
There was no structural damage to the stone monument which was dedicated May 29, 2006, in The Park near the corner of Chestnut and Whittier streets, close to Town Offices.
The Park is a popular teenage hangout on summer nights.
Police Lt. Harry Collins said the vandalism was under investigation.
Burke said he would call in Methuen Monument to assess the damage.
"We could probably scrub it off, but we don't want to damage the monument," he said.
In Haverhill earlier this summer, vandals ruined parts of a Korean War Memorial and spray painted a World War II monument.
