Sep 3, 2007 7:49 pm US/Pacific
Local Veteran Fed Up With Memorial Vandalism
by Bridget Cannata
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
Vandals have hit the Veterans War Memorial at Sacramento's Capitol Park. Veterans say it is a recurring problem and now they're fighting back.
He spent 3 years serving in Vietnam, and now Ken Nelson spends his days taking care of those who didn't make it back.
"This is the second best memorial in the country," Nelson says.
Nearly every day, Nelson protects the more than 5,200 names at the Vietnam War Memorial. But often, while polishing the bronze statues, he finds himself picking up what vandals left behind.
"People sleeping, use it for a toilet, total disrespect, it kind of hurt me," he says.
Nelson says it's been going on for some time. People litter, deface the statues, climb the flag pole, and just yesterday, sprayed graffiti.
"They don't have appreciation for the sacrifice people made, you know these people died," says Stephen Holm, a visitor to the memorial.
Surveillance cameras look over the memorial, but Nelson says it's not enough. He's asked investigators to step in and keep a closer eye on visitors. The California Highway Patrol says it's listening.
"We have bicycle patrol...officers on horseback," says Officer Bill Brandon.
Changes that may just keep vandals away, and let a veteran focus on what he came out here to do.
"These guys gave their lives for change and no one respects it and I'm here to see it doesn't happen," says Nelson.
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