This was first reported at FreeRepublic on Sunday, September 9 at 6:55 PM Pacific Time (3:55 PM Eastern), with follow-up posts here, here, and here.
The incident took place on or some time prior to Friday, September 7. The original Freeper report, with plentiful pictures, states that:
..... It looks like the person who did this walked along The Wall with some type of container, perhaps hidden at their side so that they could squirt the oily substance without being caught in the act.
..... It is unknown who did this to The Wall, and apparently the US Park Police did not know about this damage until today; though the Park Service employees knew about it.
There is a two-part YouTube video on the incident. Part 1 deals with damage to the East wall (the obvious damage is very visible beginning at about the 2-minute mark; Part 2 deals with damage to the West Wall, and includes some discussion with National Park Service personnel. The chronicler notes that pressure washing was not going to be enough to undo all of the damage, and states that:
There really is no way for anybody to declare this was accidental.
A collection of over 60 pictures relating to the damage is here.
Old Media coverage has been sparse to non-existent. A New York Times search on "Vietnam Memorial" (not in quotes) shows no relevant coverage. The Washington Times's story of September 11 does not identify the date of the incident.
The Washington Post carried its story ("Oily Substance Found on the Wall") on Wednesday, September 12, at Page B03. Even at that point, Park Service spokesperson Bill Line was claiming that "Until this investigation is completed, it is premature to speculate whether any intentional act was committed." One wonders if the Post would have bothered to cover the story at all had two local TV stations not scooped the paper on the previous day (here and here). A date-ranged September 8-14 Google News search on "Vietnam Memorial" (not in quotes) shows very few Old Media stories.
More than a few people do not understand why the National Park Service is taking so long to acknowledge the obvious. At Human Events on Friday, Michelle Oddis noted that "Anyone who has seen photos or video of the trail of gunk on the black glossy walls would definitely not see it as an accident." Another Human Events writer, Ronald Winter ("Damaged Vietnam Memorial Has Park Service Walking on Eggshells"), gave readers this unsettling assessment I have not seen elsewhere:
The Park Service is hopeful, but not certain, that when the material is finally removed it will not have left any permanent damage.
I believe there is a more-than-small chance that someone either involved with or supportive of the International ANSWER protest that took place yesterday knew that people associated with the Gathering of Eagles would be guarding the capital's memorials this weekend to ensure that there would not be a disgraceful replay of the damage done at the Capitol Building by the ANSWER hordes earlier this year. So the vandal(s) decided to do the damage ahead of all that.
It's also worth asking why, even though the incident was known well before David Petraeus's appearances before Congress took place, no non-New Media outlet did anything with this story -- not that much was ultimately done anyway -- until after the General's testimony was over.
Cross-posted at BizzyBlog.com.
—Tom Blumer is president of a training and development company in Mason, Ohio, and is a contributing editor to NewsBusters
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Comments Policy
This literally makes me ill.
September 16, 2007 - 10:52 ET by motherbeltThis literally makes me ill. I cannot even imagine the motivation of whoever did this. That person is beyond comtempt.
hhhhhmmmmmm who would do such a thing
September 16, 2007 - 10:56 ET by lunaticcringeradioi'm sure it was a tollerant understanding caring openminded person just trying to send us a message on how intollerant dumb uncaring and closeminded we all are.
lunaticcringeradio
Vietnam Memorial
September 16, 2007 - 11:11 ET by Felicity RandHow disgusting. This crime needs to be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Is this crime a felon? If not it should be.
Does the "oily substance" signify that childish belief that we are at war for oil? My aren't they clever.
From what I read, thin oils
September 16, 2007 - 11:40 ET by jpm100From what I read, thin oils are about the only thing that can permanently deface granite. Anything else can be cleaned or weathered out over time.
And black granite, to boot.
September 16, 2007 - 11:45 ET by motherbeltAnd black granite, to boot. Well, isn't that disgusting excuse for a human being just soooooo proud of himself now?
Unfortunately, he'll never be able to brag about it. I hope he is stupid enough to do so.
You know, I actually think
September 16, 2007 - 11:43 ET by motherbeltYou know, I actually think the person thought "What would be the most difficult, if not impossible to clean up?
I saw an ad where they used Dawn dishwashing liquid to clean up the birds after an oil spill, but that would make a LOT of suds to be dealt with. I'm serious tho....Maybe they should find out what they use to clean up major oil spills.
Park Service Reluctant to
September 16, 2007 - 12:07 ET by drillanwrPark Service Reluctant to Tab as Vandalism
Yeah, they're probably checking with the MSM as to if it was an act of "free speech" or "patriotism" ... or both.
The antiwar slugs continue to stand on top of the Vietnam vets ... and stomp all over them.
Bless our Vietnam Vets! And THANK YOU for your "lesson" in humility and strength.
Disgusting. This person
September 16, 2007 - 13:23 ET by Tom1969caDisgusting.
This person has metaphorically spit in the face of every soldier who has ever put on a uniform to defend his/her freedom. I only wish they had the courage/stupidity to do it to one of them in person - so the soldier could then personally give them the ass-kicking they so richly deserve.
But no, with typical liberal courage and confidence in the rightness of their point-of-view they instead have done this anonymously.
Up here in Canada, we had a drunken youth "express himself" by urinating on the National War Memorial monument on Canada Day a couple years back. The judge sentenced him to community service - but stipulated that every minute of it be served in various Canadian Legion halls around the region.
~~~
If you don't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them!
The Republican party should
September 16, 2007 - 14:05 ET by USA4freedomThe Republican party should make a full add on this kind of
behavior.
Pound this into the ground. Are these the people you want to
run your government?
This is lower then low.
What kind of person would do something this low...
I don’t have the words.
Just seeing the pictures puts tears in my eyes.
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc.
Ronald Reagan- 40th Anniversary of D-Day
Politically Correct
September 16, 2007 - 14:30 ET by ThisnThatMSM Public Face:
"One person's vandalism is another person's freedom of speech".
"Who are we to judge the intent"?
MSM Backroom:
"Who will this hurt if we report it? The Democrats and anti-war group? Well, in that case we either ignore it, or report it once in very few words on the back page. When would be a good time to do this? Keep your eyes peeled, and run it when it won't get much notice. And no, no one will question us about it, so don't worry".
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
One of the things I liked
September 16, 2007 - 16:17 ET by Carl KolchakOne of the things I liked about growing up on military posts was that at 5 P.M., they would play "Retreat" over the loud speakers to honor the lowering of the Flag. If you were driving you would stop your car and get out and stand at attention, or if you were anywhere outside you would stop what you were doing and stand at attention until it was over. This was a great thing we did everyday. Vietnam Vets have been vilified for too long. The names on the Memorial were great awesome men, whom I am very proud of.
Here is a link to a military website that I like and there is a article post as well as some comments.
http://www.armchairg...
"Here's to the Wall that bears their names, here's to you my little loves with blessings from Above, now let the day begin" 'Let the Day Begin'
Thanks for the Memories
September 16, 2007 - 23:09 ET by Del DolemonteDespite being a service brat, I only lived as a kid on one base. They did the same thing, of course, but once in a while, the record skipped.
War Memorial
September 16, 2007 - 16:29 ET by SportPoliticsI was wondering if perhaps a 2 stroke gas powered blower started leaking unbeknownst to the park service operator - and maybe that's why they didn't want to say vandalism right away...possible...you have ear protection on and walk along with it hung over right shoulder- one might not notice it occurring.
But having looked at the pictures (at FR) and the video, it certainly appears to be someone having sprayed it on with a water bottle or other such squeezable liquid container.
I note the comments by the traitors at youtube suggest it signifies the "war for oil" for them.
My solution...
September 16, 2007 - 16:38 ET by m4ster chiefI know how to restore the Wall so that the stain is not visible, but they won't ask me. They'll hire some congressman's brother-in-law's company and pay them a million or two.
Sunrise at sea; a breeze across the deck, salty spray tickles the face, the aroma of fresh coffee, stack gas, and haze-gray paint is in the air. Another Navy day aboard ship as a Navy Chief...the perfect life!
Local Media Coverage
September 16, 2007 - 16:59 ET by kdoliverI live in the DC area and I would not have known about this act of vandalism if it were not for Newsbusters. Watching the local news between football games this weekend, I have not seen anything about the Gathering of Eagles--only the anti-war (anti-American) protests. You would have never known that there are supporters out there.
http://thelazytriathlete.blogspot.com/
25 Years
September 16, 2007 - 17:33 ET by Del DolemonteThat's how long this memorial has been around. This just shows how nuts the far-left has gotten since Florida 2000 and Baghdad 2003 and the "stolen election" of 2004.
I agree. Not even the "60's
September 16, 2007 - 17:50 ET by mostlymoderateI agree. Not even the "60's hippy scum" were this crazy. This new breed of liberals are unbelievable. :-(
Park Service Reluctant to Tab as Vandalism
September 16, 2007 - 17:54 ET by ding7777but somehow you know that the "far-left" is responsible. Have you contacted the Park Service Police with your proof ?
Ding, when there's poop on the hood of my car
September 16, 2007 - 18:02 ET by RJI can reasonably assume a bird did it....maybe I don't "know" which individual bird, but it was definitely a bird. ;^>
EXACTLY!!! :)
September 16, 2007 - 18:13 ET by mostlymoderateEXACTLY!!! :) It's called the modus operandi (or M.O.) Police use it to find criminals all the time. This crime is definitely the MO of extreme left-wing radicals.
White Gold
September 17, 2007 - 01:00 ET by Del DolemonteThat's what in banking circles would be called a "deposit".
Yeah, You're Right
September 17, 2007 - 00:46 ET by Del DolemonteReich-wingers have been defacing war memorials for years and years.
How could I have been so stoopid?
http://www.savethema...
right, lets not profile here...
September 16, 2007 - 20:06 ET by Conservative_in_mass.Ding dong....no one home.
I think before we jump to the conclusion it was some Move on.org type that did this (they don't run anti war ads, do they?) we should examine and question the members of every VFW across the U.S.
Then, we should go to the families of every hero named on that wall to see if they did it. After that, we should verify the wherabouts of everyone who displays an American Flag along with the P.O.W./M.I.A. flag.
These people should be very high on the suspect list, much like 3 year olds and 80 year old grandmothers who are embarking planes, not middle eastern men 19 to 45...
we must not lose our objectivity or sensitivities at times like this...
The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. ~ Unknown
Interesting...
September 16, 2007 - 22:57 ET by Del DolemonteWhat many people don't know is how far back in time the names on the Vietnam Memorial go.
Hint: some of the names date back to the 1940s and 1950s.
Why anyone would want to desecrate the memory of people who lived before their parents were even born escapes me.
ONLY Leftist whiners like
September 17, 2007 - 08:18 ET by UnsaneONLY Leftist whiners like yourself would do such a thing.
By the way ding, any ideas of your own yet?
Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.
Surely you jest?
September 17, 2007 - 08:51 ET by annoyedmanPlease... give us a break.
Idiot.
The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. ~~ Ecclesiastes 10:1-2
Ding: We know it is the
September 17, 2007 - 10:43 ET by BDDing:
We know it is the far left because it fits with their modus operandi.
For instance, what party do you think the following are now registered:
1.) What party do you think the guys who spit on the troops are the returned through San Francisco International.
2.) What party do you think the guys who threw water on me in my dress uniform were during the 80's are now registered?
3.) Greenham Commons protestors?
4.) Morons who protested in front of SAC Bases in the 1970's?
5.) Idiots who threw blood on the troops stationed at Fort Benning for being near building 4 which the protestors misidentified as the famous "School of the Americas."
6.) Human Shields?
7.) The Sandalistas?
Yeah, it is a high percentage chance that the idiot who defaced the Vietnam Memorial is a Democrat.
Lets find and kill the
September 16, 2007 - 17:45 ET by mostlymoderateLets find and kill the people behind this. Really, there is no better time to start getting tough on the contempt for America. I am sure we have the resources to find these S.O.B.s.
P.S. Let's put some of the
September 16, 2007 - 17:47 ET by mostlymoderateP.S. Let's put some of the new, BS "hate crimes" bills to good use too. This is an act of "hate" against America. I'm done, sorry for the rant.
}}---> What's left of you
September 16, 2007 - 20:33 ET by Cool ArrowWhat's left of your contribution to freedom is a name on a polished wall, and some fool tries to erase even that.
Soros and Clinton must be proud.
~LYDSEXICS UNTIE!~
one thing for absolute certainty
September 16, 2007 - 20:43 ET by lunaticcringeradioa conservative would never have done such a thing.
lunaticcringeradio
Was it only liberal media
September 16, 2007 - 21:39 ET by balboaWas it only liberal media outlets that didn't cover this story, or conservative ones as well.
Wrong Question
September 16, 2007 - 23:06 ET by Del DolemonteThe premise was that the "old media" didn't cover it, not whether the "conservative" or "liberal" media covered it.
And I'm sure you'd agree the "old media" is overwhelmingly right wing.
Coverage
September 16, 2007 - 23:08 ET by Tom BlumerWashTimes had an item. Human Events had at least two. Michelle Malkin picked up on it.
Semi-defense: Uncompensated New Media types have a harder time keeping a 24-hour vigil. Paid Old Media types shouldn't be able to take refuge in the excuse that it was discovered on a weekend and couldn't be quickly covered.
That said, it's worth checking FreeRepublic more frequently.
"Leftists", You Say?
September 17, 2007 - 00:44 ET by Del DolemonteHere's an assorted mixed grille of editorials by non right wing sources, opposing a memorial to WW2 vets in DC of all places.
http://www.savethema...
Del...I believe most of the
September 17, 2007 - 01:48 ET by JerDel...I believe most of the controversy revolved around the design and placement of the proposed WWII memorial--not whether one should be erected. Furthermore, objections were also raised by conservative commentators such as George Will and John Maclaughlin.
Regarding defacement of Viet Nam memorial wall, there seemed to be both Left and Right extremist thugs who were capable of this behavior. In any event, it was indeed shameful and outrageous.
Jer
Atrocity!
September 17, 2007 - 00:46 ET by maryerinMy Uncle is on that wall:
Panel 28E Line 077 STANLEY WILLIAM TUNALL.
This makes me so angry! It wasn't enough for the hippies to spit on the Heros who came home alive, the children they spawned had to come back and spit on those who died!
When my Uncle was being brought to the cemetary to be interred people stopped in their tracks and put their hands over their hearts or saluted. Now, nothing is sacred!
I am ashamed to have to share my country with people who think that this behaviour is acceptable.
It's still there!
September 17, 2007 - 05:39 ET by old croI remember seeing this on FR when it was posted and have waited patiently until it has come out to the mainstream. I am still waiting. Take heart that no substance can erase the names etched in GRANITE, only wind and weather, and that will take thousands of years. They will always be etched in peoples hearts.
just another continuing chapter...
September 17, 2007 - 15:50 ET by wizardjrAmericans have been doing this to us for forty years. Since the 60's the people of this country have been spitting on us figuratively and literally as the reward for service to our country. I don't know why this incident shocked anyone, it's just another chapter in the continuing story of America's opinion of those who served during Viet Nam.
chuck in st paul
SSgt USAF '62-'70