garyjd
PlanetFigure Supporter
A reward is now being offered. I hope this turns up the heat on the garbage that did this.~Gary
The latest press releases:
Readshaw Resolution to Seek Increase in Park Vandalism Penalty
Rep. launches fund to repair all three damaged Gettysburg monuments
HARRISBURG, Feb. 21 – State Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Allegheny, today said he is preparing to introduce a resolution that would request the U.S. Congress to increase the minimum penalty for flagrantly vandalizing monuments, buildings and other assets on National Military Park property.
Readshaw’s resolution follows last week's vandalism that severely damaged three Gettysburg Battlefield monuments erected more than a century ago to memorialize the courage and sacrifice of Union troops from three states during the 1863 battle that marked the turning point of the Civil War. The ravaged monuments include a bronze statue of a soldier of the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry that was toppled from its base.
Another bronze statue honoring the 4th New York Battery at Devil’s Den was pulled from its pedestal and dragged more than 100 feet. The head of the statue broke off and was taken. In addition, part of a granite sculpture in tribute of the 11th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry along Emmitsburg Road not far from the fallen 114th PVI monument was also pulled down.
Photographs of the damage can be viewed on the Internet at www.civilwarinteractive.com .
The monuments were all located within the park, so federal laws would apply in prosecuting suspects. Readshaw believes that minimum penalties should be enacted to adequately address destruction of the magnitude inflicted on Gettysburg last week.
“These acts showed sickening disregard for public property, for the brave Americans that they memorialized, and for the impact that such an attack on a site held in such high regard for what it means to the heritage and spirit of our nation, especially during a time when American forces are involved in fighting overseas,” Readshaw said. “If a person is willing to do something as dark as this, what are they capable of doing next?"
Readshaw said that the penalties should be increased for gross destruction of National Military Park property, especially by establishing minimum penalties that would ensure a perpetrator doesn’t get off with little more than a slap on the wrist.
If Congress chooses to toughen the penalties for the future, the new law would not pertain to last week's destruction.
Since 1997, Readshaw has been engaged in two campaigns to preserve the more than 140 Pennsylvania monuments and markers at Gettysburg. Readshaw first became involved in efforts to ensure that current repair and maintenance needs were funded. Readshaw is now championing a drive to create a trust fund for each of the monuments to pay for future regular maintenance needs.
But last week’s vandalism has put the trust fund drive on hold as Readshaw has set up a fund drive to repair all three of the vandalized monuments, and has committed the proceeds from an upcoming ball in the Capitol Rotunda to the fund.
The annual Civil War Preservation Ball, sponsored by the Victorian Dance Ensemble, will be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 25. It is open to people in appropriate Civil War attire or modern suits and ties for gentlemen and dresses for ladies. Tickets are $35 per person or $60 per couple. Music will be provided by the 28th Pennsylvania Regimental Band.
Readshaw also appealed to private citizens and businesses to donate to get the monuments expeditiously repaired and back in place. Money collected for the Gettysburg Monuments Repair Fund will be turned over to the Gettysburg National Military Park as restoration work is ready to begin. The special fund will be established within the existing Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Project.
Donations should be mailed to:
Gettysburg Monuments Repair Fund
c/o Rep. Harry Readshaw
122 Irvis Office Building
House Box 202020
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
Readshaw initially was going to direct the fund drive only to the repair of the Pennsylvania monument, but then realized that all the monuments in the park are equally important in relaying the story of the epic struggle in Adams County that set the course for America’s future.
More information about the monument repair fund and the Preservation Ball can be obtained by calling Readshaw’s Harrisburg Office at 717-783-0411, or by e-mail at [email protected] .
-----------------------
$30,000 REWARD
Monument vandalism prompts Friends to establish reward
Gettysburg, PA (Feb. 22, 2005)—The Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg has established a $30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the recent monument vandalism at Gettysburg National Military Park. The Friends’ reward is being offered in addition to any money offered by Adams County Crime Stoppers.
To establish the reward, the Friends teamed with the Gettysburg National Battlefield Museum Foundation, the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides and the Gettysburg Civil War Round Table.
“We are devastated by this vandalism, and we’ve heard from people all over the country who are eager to help find the people responsible,” said Friends’ Chair of the Board Barbara J. Finfrock. “The monuments were placed on these fields—as testaments to bravery and sacrifice—by the soldiers who fought here, and we are honored to stand with our partners to seek justice.”
Three monuments were severely vandalized last week: the 11th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry monument, the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry monument and the 4th New York battery (Smith’s battery) monument.
Anyone with information should call Gettysburg National Military Park at 717-334-0909 or the Adams County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-869-8057. Callers may remain anonymous.
It is the Friends’ mission—on behalf of all generations of Americans—to honor, support, protect and enhance the resources associated with the Gettysburg National Military Park, the Battle of Gettysburg and the Eisenhower National Historic Site.
For more information about the Friends, call 717-334-0772 or visit www.friendsofgettysburg.org
------
Restoration, Reward Funds Now Offered in
Gettysburg Monument Vandalism
Feb. 22, 2006--Amounts continue to grow for two separate causes in relation to the recent vandalism of Civil War monuments, with one directed at finding the perpetrators of the offense and the other at repairing the damage that was caused.
The owners of Battlefield Harley-Davidson near Gettysburg have announced the offer of a $5000 reward for information concerning the persons who recently vandalized three Civil War monuments in the battlefield park.
The Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg announced on Wednesday that they were offering a reward of $30,000 for information on the perpetrators. Another reward of a possible $1000 is being offered by the Adams County CrimeStoppers group.
David and Jennifer LeVan also said that, in addition to their own reward for information, they would match up to $25,000 in fundraising that the FNPG may raise for repairs and restorations of the monuments.
Besides the motorcycle dealership, the LeVans operate the Just Jennifer gallery in Gettysburg. David LeVan is also an investor in Chance Enterprises, a company which has proposed a slot-machine casino in the Gettysburg area. (It rather irks me that the casino-supporting LeVans are offering a reward to catch the vandals. I hope this act of "charity" does not deflect criticism from the proposed casino.)
The acts of vandalism were discovered on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 16 and are believed to have been committed during the preceding night. Two of the damaged memorials, to the 11th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, are located just south of the edge of Gettysburg along the heavily-traveled Steinwehr Avenue (Bus. Rt. 15)
The third, which memorializes the 4th New York Artillery (or Smith's Battery) is located deeper in the park, along Houck's Ridge above Devil's Den. The park is legally closed to traffic after 7 p.m. at this time of year.
LeVan family attorney Bernie Yannetti told the media that the LeVan family has donated to reward funds for such incidents in the past, as well as CrimeStoppers funds.
Pennsylvania State Rep. Harry Readshaw is also spearheading a fund for repair of the three damaged memorials. Proceeds from an upcoming Civil War Ball in Harrisburg will be directed this year to these specific monuments rather than Readshaw's decade-long project to fund maintenance of all Pennsylvania memorials at the park.
Preliminary estimates by park officials were that repairs would require at least $50,000 to $75,000 and possibly considerably more. Stone or bronze items were stolen off each memorial and will have to be recast or recarved in addition to repairs of the portions left behind.
The bases of each will also have to be restored and leveled, and a historic iron fence around the 114th Pennsylvania monument was crushed in parts when its statue was pulled over on top of it.
The latest press releases:
Readshaw Resolution to Seek Increase in Park Vandalism Penalty
Rep. launches fund to repair all three damaged Gettysburg monuments
HARRISBURG, Feb. 21 – State Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Allegheny, today said he is preparing to introduce a resolution that would request the U.S. Congress to increase the minimum penalty for flagrantly vandalizing monuments, buildings and other assets on National Military Park property.
Readshaw’s resolution follows last week's vandalism that severely damaged three Gettysburg Battlefield monuments erected more than a century ago to memorialize the courage and sacrifice of Union troops from three states during the 1863 battle that marked the turning point of the Civil War. The ravaged monuments include a bronze statue of a soldier of the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry that was toppled from its base.
Another bronze statue honoring the 4th New York Battery at Devil’s Den was pulled from its pedestal and dragged more than 100 feet. The head of the statue broke off and was taken. In addition, part of a granite sculpture in tribute of the 11th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry along Emmitsburg Road not far from the fallen 114th PVI monument was also pulled down.
Photographs of the damage can be viewed on the Internet at www.civilwarinteractive.com .
The monuments were all located within the park, so federal laws would apply in prosecuting suspects. Readshaw believes that minimum penalties should be enacted to adequately address destruction of the magnitude inflicted on Gettysburg last week.
“These acts showed sickening disregard for public property, for the brave Americans that they memorialized, and for the impact that such an attack on a site held in such high regard for what it means to the heritage and spirit of our nation, especially during a time when American forces are involved in fighting overseas,” Readshaw said. “If a person is willing to do something as dark as this, what are they capable of doing next?"
Readshaw said that the penalties should be increased for gross destruction of National Military Park property, especially by establishing minimum penalties that would ensure a perpetrator doesn’t get off with little more than a slap on the wrist.
If Congress chooses to toughen the penalties for the future, the new law would not pertain to last week's destruction.
Since 1997, Readshaw has been engaged in two campaigns to preserve the more than 140 Pennsylvania monuments and markers at Gettysburg. Readshaw first became involved in efforts to ensure that current repair and maintenance needs were funded. Readshaw is now championing a drive to create a trust fund for each of the monuments to pay for future regular maintenance needs.
But last week’s vandalism has put the trust fund drive on hold as Readshaw has set up a fund drive to repair all three of the vandalized monuments, and has committed the proceeds from an upcoming ball in the Capitol Rotunda to the fund.
The annual Civil War Preservation Ball, sponsored by the Victorian Dance Ensemble, will be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 25. It is open to people in appropriate Civil War attire or modern suits and ties for gentlemen and dresses for ladies. Tickets are $35 per person or $60 per couple. Music will be provided by the 28th Pennsylvania Regimental Band.
Readshaw also appealed to private citizens and businesses to donate to get the monuments expeditiously repaired and back in place. Money collected for the Gettysburg Monuments Repair Fund will be turned over to the Gettysburg National Military Park as restoration work is ready to begin. The special fund will be established within the existing Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Project.
Donations should be mailed to:
Gettysburg Monuments Repair Fund
c/o Rep. Harry Readshaw
122 Irvis Office Building
House Box 202020
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
Readshaw initially was going to direct the fund drive only to the repair of the Pennsylvania monument, but then realized that all the monuments in the park are equally important in relaying the story of the epic struggle in Adams County that set the course for America’s future.
More information about the monument repair fund and the Preservation Ball can be obtained by calling Readshaw’s Harrisburg Office at 717-783-0411, or by e-mail at [email protected] .
-----------------------
$30,000 REWARD
Monument vandalism prompts Friends to establish reward
Gettysburg, PA (Feb. 22, 2005)—The Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg has established a $30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the recent monument vandalism at Gettysburg National Military Park. The Friends’ reward is being offered in addition to any money offered by Adams County Crime Stoppers.
To establish the reward, the Friends teamed with the Gettysburg National Battlefield Museum Foundation, the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides and the Gettysburg Civil War Round Table.
“We are devastated by this vandalism, and we’ve heard from people all over the country who are eager to help find the people responsible,” said Friends’ Chair of the Board Barbara J. Finfrock. “The monuments were placed on these fields—as testaments to bravery and sacrifice—by the soldiers who fought here, and we are honored to stand with our partners to seek justice.”
Three monuments were severely vandalized last week: the 11th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry monument, the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry monument and the 4th New York battery (Smith’s battery) monument.
Anyone with information should call Gettysburg National Military Park at 717-334-0909 or the Adams County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-869-8057. Callers may remain anonymous.
It is the Friends’ mission—on behalf of all generations of Americans—to honor, support, protect and enhance the resources associated with the Gettysburg National Military Park, the Battle of Gettysburg and the Eisenhower National Historic Site.
For more information about the Friends, call 717-334-0772 or visit www.friendsofgettysburg.org
------
Restoration, Reward Funds Now Offered in
Gettysburg Monument Vandalism
Feb. 22, 2006--Amounts continue to grow for two separate causes in relation to the recent vandalism of Civil War monuments, with one directed at finding the perpetrators of the offense and the other at repairing the damage that was caused.
The owners of Battlefield Harley-Davidson near Gettysburg have announced the offer of a $5000 reward for information concerning the persons who recently vandalized three Civil War monuments in the battlefield park.
The Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg announced on Wednesday that they were offering a reward of $30,000 for information on the perpetrators. Another reward of a possible $1000 is being offered by the Adams County CrimeStoppers group.
David and Jennifer LeVan also said that, in addition to their own reward for information, they would match up to $25,000 in fundraising that the FNPG may raise for repairs and restorations of the monuments.
Besides the motorcycle dealership, the LeVans operate the Just Jennifer gallery in Gettysburg. David LeVan is also an investor in Chance Enterprises, a company which has proposed a slot-machine casino in the Gettysburg area. (It rather irks me that the casino-supporting LeVans are offering a reward to catch the vandals. I hope this act of "charity" does not deflect criticism from the proposed casino.)
The acts of vandalism were discovered on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 16 and are believed to have been committed during the preceding night. Two of the damaged memorials, to the 11th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, are located just south of the edge of Gettysburg along the heavily-traveled Steinwehr Avenue (Bus. Rt. 15)
The third, which memorializes the 4th New York Artillery (or Smith's Battery) is located deeper in the park, along Houck's Ridge above Devil's Den. The park is legally closed to traffic after 7 p.m. at this time of year.
LeVan family attorney Bernie Yannetti told the media that the LeVan family has donated to reward funds for such incidents in the past, as well as CrimeStoppers funds.
Pennsylvania State Rep. Harry Readshaw is also spearheading a fund for repair of the three damaged memorials. Proceeds from an upcoming Civil War Ball in Harrisburg will be directed this year to these specific monuments rather than Readshaw's decade-long project to fund maintenance of all Pennsylvania memorials at the park.
Preliminary estimates by park officials were that repairs would require at least $50,000 to $75,000 and possibly considerably more. Stone or bronze items were stolen off each memorial and will have to be recast or recarved in addition to repairs of the portions left behind.
The bases of each will also have to be restored and leveled, and a historic iron fence around the 114th Pennsylvania monument was crushed in parts when its statue was pulled over on top of it.
