By Michael Donoghue
Vermont News First
One day after celebrating the nation’s 249th birthday of freedom, vandals desecrated a Veterans Memorial honoring all those that served in the military for the town of Shelburne to guarantee that lasting freedom.
The politically driven hate messages were discovered as people began to arrive at the Shelburne Parade Ground on Saturday morning to open for the weekly Farmer’s Market with food, arts, crafts and music.
The Veterans Memorial includes a large raised five-point star made from specially carved granite. Four of the five points each honor a pair from the various conflicts for the United States: World War I, World War II, Korea, Cold War, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The final two sides to the pointed stars have large round brass markers dedicated to the U.S. Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.
The vandals scrawled messages, some obscene, across the top of each point in the star on the granite memorial. The messages appeared to have been written with a permanent black magic marker to deface the stone.
Leading up to the large granite star are individual engraved bricks honoring local Veterans purchased by family and friends.
The vandalism was found one day after a citizen protest about President Donald J. Trump was held along the west side of the Parade Ground on U.S. 7. The protest came on the same day President Trump signed his new domestic policy agenda known as “The Big Beautiful Bill,” which both the House and Senate approved.
By coincidence or otherwise, a couple of the messages from the vandals were directed specifically at Trump. One said “(Expletive) D. Trump” with an upside-down flag drawn below the message – a symbol for distress. Another message said “(Expletive) the system.”
Other messages said, “No Slaves No Masters,” and “The USA Governments (sic) is the Real Criminals.” Another said “Fight War Not Wars” with a drawn smiley face.
Shelburne Highway Superintendent Paul Goodrich, who serves on the town’s Veterans Committee, was among those viewing the damaged memorial. The Vietnam Veteran said he was disgusted by the senseless act.
“Look at that,” Goodrich said shaking his head in disbelief.
Paul Goodrich, a member of the Shelburne Veterans Committee views the vandalism on Saturday. Vermont News First Photo by MIKE DONOGHUE
Retired Shelburne Town Clerk and Treasurer Colleen Haag, who also serves on the Veterans Committee, said she believes this marks the first time the solemn marker has been vandalized since it was formally dedicated in 2015 “to honor Veterans, both living and deceased, for their sacrifice and service to our country.”
The memorial is nestled among some trees on the sprawling town parade ground and has at least a half dozen benches to allow visitors quiet reflection time. It is across the street from St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in the village.
Shelburne Police responded to the scene and are investigating the vandalism. Anybody with information about those involved or the defacing is asked to call Officer Ben Hollwedel at (802) 985-8051.
The memorial also includes a marker with the listing of over 100 Shelburne military Veterans from World War I (1914-18) that are deceased and a second marker with at least 60 that served in World War II (1941-45).
Peter Gadue, a member of the committee, said a stone mason has been contacted and he has promised to make attempts at restoring the granite marker.
A separate granite marker noted, “Be still O hearts that visit here on these our soldiers – we reflect. Remember them, their sacrifice. Come with gratitude and respect.”