HISTORIC PERRY MEMORIAL DAMAGED BY VANDALS
Put-in-Bay, Ohio –May 18, 2017 –The Lake Erie Heritage Foundation is raising the reward to $2,500 for any information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of those responsible for the recent vandalism at the Perry’s Victory Memorial.
Special Agents with the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB) and US Park Rangers are investigating the case, which occurred on or about May 13, 2017. According to their reports, an unknown person or persons scaled a fence to enter an area closed for restoration.
The perpetrators vandalized the final resting place of Lt. John Brooks, Midshipman Henry Laub and Midshipman John Clark. These American officers fought and died in the Battle of Lake Erie and were interred on September 11, 1913. They are the main reason the 352-foot tall memorial was built, and US Park Rangers learn their names early in their duty assignment at Put-in-Bay.
“This reprehensible act of vandalism at this sacred memorial tomb and national monument sickens all Americans who stand to this day as one voice in defense of our country,” said David Zavagno, president of The Lake Erie Heritage Foundation.
“In 2013 we celebrated the bicentennial and recognized once again the many sacrifices of Oliver Hazard Perry and his men who fought and died for our ideals as a young nation. The Lake Erie Heritage Foundation will double the bounty being offered for information leading to the arrest of those individual(s) responsible for this heinous act.”
The memorial honors these men and celebrates the enduring peace between nations. In less than two weeks Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial will honor these men, along with all our veterans, at a Memorial Day Program on Monday, May 29 at 11 am. Until then there’s only one question to be answered: Who would disrespect the national memorial where these brave men were laid to rest 104 years ago?
If you have information that could help investigators, please contact us.
Though you may remain anonymous, investigators are offering up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of those responsible.
CALL the ISB Tip Line 888-653-0009
TEXT to 202-379-4761
ONLINE www.nps.gov/isb and click “Submit a Tip”
EMAIL nps_isb@nps.gov