Photo Courtesy of Councilman Holden’s Office
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Elmhurst Park was defiled last week.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Just two days after The World’s Borough solemnly marked Memorial Day 2021, heartless, still-at-large vandals scrawled hate-filled phrases and imagery all over the sacred Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Elmhurst.
Borough pols and law-enforcement officials expressed sorrow and anger, and vowed to catch all involved and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.
“The attack on this memorial, in this park, is a foul, criminal act,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. “This is the only Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Queens that pays homage to all the fallen service men and women from this borough. It exists as a place where we can call reflect and pay tribute. I am proud to have worked in partnership with our Parks Department and the members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32 to design and construct this wonderful jewel that honors the memories of those who gave their lives in service to their country. We will work in cooperation with NYPD to hold accountable those responsible for this obscenity.”
Photo Courtesy of DA Katz’s Office
Holden, DA Melinda Katz, and NYPD officials watch as crews work to paint over the vile vandalism.
Councilman Bob Holden (D-Middle Village) has offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of “the sick soul” who desecrated the Elmhurst Park monument.
“I am deeply disgusted by this cowardly act of vandalism,” Holden said, adding that he’s working with the 104th Precinct and other NYPD officials on the matter.
“The act of vandalism at the Queens Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Elmhurst Park is a disgusting crime that attacks what we stand for as a community and a country,” State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) said. “On the heels of Memorial Day, a time when we reflect on the sacrifices made by the men and women in the armed forces that gave their lives protecting the freedoms that we enjoy each day, we should be honoring these fallen soldiers, not wiping away hateful words and symbols from their memorial site. I will work with the police department to help in any way I can to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime committed at this memorial are brought to justice.”
