Livermore police search for vandals who defaced war memorial

LIVERMORE, Calif. (KGO) -- Livermore police are searching for vandals who defaced a monument honoring local veterans.

ABC7 News spoke with veterans who are literally picking up the pieces and just want to know why they were targeted.

Commander Ron Gillette with Veterans of Foreign Wars says it hurts to see the names of local vets in pieces. He took pictures of the "Remember our Heroes" wall in Livermore that was damaged by vandals last week.

Fifteen engraved bricks were ripped off the wall. He found them cracked, and stacked in a pile.

"It is extremely disappointing because when you come down here, this is a memorial and monument to all veterans," Gillette said.

Gillette has a brick of his own. The wall and pathway were built in front of the Veterans Memorial building.

VFW members are troubled that someone would damage a place meant to honor those who've served our country.

"I came down here and when I saw it I was devastated. I mean, we work so hard on this to try and keep it clean and neat, so people can enjoy looking at it," said Bob Rochin of Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Police don't have any witnesses. Moving forward, the VFW plans to install a security camera. Gillette has a message for the vandals: "Shame on you. Shame on you. You desecrated a monument and memorial to all veterans here in Livermore. Why?"

It will cost at least $1,000 to repair the wall.