An Oregon veterans monument is now missing a 121-year-old bronze statue of a Spanish-American War soldier, much to the dismay of cemetery officials in Portland. The disappearance occurred over the Thanksgiving holiday, leaving the community deeply saddened, as mentioned in a Facebook post by the River View Cemetery.
Weighing over 600 pounds and standing at 5 feet tall, the bronze statue of a soldier carrying a rifle disappeared from its base without a trace. Despite previous instances of the rifle being stolen and replaced, the latest theft has left only the handle of the weapon behind, as the officials explained to KATU. The administrative assistant, Lindsay Smith, expressed her disbelief at the situation, emphasizing the significance of the loss to the cemetery’s historic memorial.
Cemetery officials have reached out to local authorities and are appealing to the public for any leads relating to the case. The priority is to restore the missing statue and preserve its place within the cemetery. Anyone with information regarding the theft has been urged to contact the cemetery directly at 503-246-4251 or via email at [email protected].
Comments on the Facebook post expressed shock and sadness at the incident, with one individual describing the theft as “sickening” and others hoping for its recovery.
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