In a distressing turn of events just days ahead of Memorial Day, the city of Paramount has suffered a significant loss. Vandals targeted the 'Battlefield Cross and Soldier' memorial, resulting in the theft of key components of the monument. Mayor Peggy Lemons first noticed the missing pieces while with her granddaughter, reporting that a bronze rifle and helmet were taken from the statue located at the Paramount Armed Forces Memorial in the Civic Center, as FOX 11 reported.
The memorial which had been installed only recently in November 2024, showcased a soldier kneeling in homage to a fallen comrade, with the stolen items forming the cross. Bemoaning the desecration, Mayor Lemons implored the perpetrators to recognize the hurt they inflicted, "This was a very thoughtless, cruel, disrespectful thing to do to the military families in this community," she told FOX 11. With the Memorial Day ceremony approaching, there's a palpable disappointment knowing the statue won’t be restored in time to honor the occasion.
KTLA shared a statement from city officials expressing their deep anguish over the incident, emphasizing that, "This is a shameful act of disrespect to those who risked their lives protecting our country and freedoms, as this memorial stands as a symbol of honor and their sacrifice." The absence of the bronze rifle and damage inflicted upon the memorial have generated widespread discouragement amongst both city officials and community members.
Mayor Lemons, in a statement obtained by NBC Los Angeles, disseminated a heartfelt message to the vandal or vandals, noting, "If you were in need if you did this because of money, you could come to us."
