Just three days after the Battle Born Memorial in Nevada was dedicated, it has been vandalized.
The memorial honors 895 Nevada residents who served dating back to the Civil War.
Governor Brian Sandoval signed Senate Bill 230 that recognized the Battle Born Memorial to honor and remember Nevadans who were killed in action, Military Times reported.
New memorial for troops killed in combat is damaged just days after it was dedicated. https://t.co/5epekp5LMV pic.twitter.com/HU0aPkIpB9
— ArmyTimes (@ArmyTimes) November 19, 2018
The memorial situated on the Capitol grounds had just completed construction on Nov. 9 and was dedicated by Gov. Sandoval in a ceremony aligning with Veterans Day.
Police say the juvenile suspects were recorded on video cameras located between the memorial and the Supreme Court buildinghttps://t.co/RAIBZbM40E
— Las Vegas RJ (@reviewjournal) November 20, 2018
At the ceremony held on the Capitol grounds on Nov. 9, the governor said, “Individuals have lost their lives from the Civil War forward, and so I don’t think we can ever do enough, but we should do everything we can,” KOLO News 8 reported.
Terri Hendry, communication director for NDVS said, “Those attending the dedication ceremony include the immediate family members of Nevada’s fallen. This includes the father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter or spouse and a Nevada military member killed in combat. We expect to have approximately 100 immediate family members in attendance for the dedication,” according to the Nevada Appeal.
Kat Miller, director of the Nevada Department of Veterans Services said, “We often acknowledge the ultimate sacrifice paid by the men and women who gave their lives in defense of our country — and how their loss is the greatest of sacrifices. And yes, we absolutely owe it to the memory of those who fell in combat to never forget them. However, we also owe their families a heartfelt acknowledgment of their loss, for what can be more tragic than to lose a child, a sibling, a parent or other close family member? In some small way, we hope that this monument helps our Gold Star families understand that while we may never truly understand their pain, we will do what we can to keep the memories of their loved ones alive forever.”
She added, “When we saw the memorial, it just screamed Nevada to me. It feels substantial, but at the same time, timeless and with each one of the Nevadans listed on there, it’s just wonderful.”
Vandals damage new Battle Born Memorial on the state capitol grounds in Carson City https://t.co/60CPdGhQt6 @NevadaDPS #BattleBorn pic.twitter.com/j0vLyPnKp9
— Carson Now (@carsonnow) November 16, 2018
The Nevada Appeal said the Battle Born Memorial underwent serious cosmetic damage in the vandalism, including cracks to three slabs of the black granite platform that is the length of the memorial.
The incident, which took place around 6:45 p.m., on Nov. 12, was recorded on video by security cameras situated along the Supreme Court building and the entire memorial.
The suspects were four teens, two of which were riding BMX bicycles and two were on Razor scooters.
It is unknown if police have made any arrests.