The La Porte, Indiana, community has rallied together to replace more than 300 bronze medallions that were stolen from veterans’ gravestones at a local cemetery.
Some of the medallions at Patton Cemetery dated back to the Revolutionary War, James Hiles, the financial officer for the American Legion Post 83 in La Porte, told The South Bend Tribune.
Since Memorial Day, more than 300 bronze stakes with veterans medallions have been stolen, Fox News reported.
Police believe the thieves are separating the bronze medallions from a brass fitting that holds it in place, and then selling the brass piece and throwing away the medallion.
“People don’t have any morals anymore, apparently,” Mr. Hiles told The Tribune. “This isn’t just a piece of bronze. This means somebody’s life has been given for this country.”
Mr. Hiles speculated that the thieves are only interested in the stakes because a scrap dealer might alert police if someone is trying to sell stolen military items, The Tribune reported.
About 50 medallions went missing last year, but that number skyrocketed to about 330 this year, Mr. Hiles said.
Nearly $2,000 dollars has already been raised to replace the stolen items with medallions and stakes made of cheaper metals instead of bronze, The Tribune reported.
Donations can be directed to the American Legion.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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