Friends of National Parks Steps Up

I recently did a post about the vandalism at the Gettysburg National Battlefield entitled “New Battle at Gettysburg.” Now Friends of National Parks in 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 Friends of Gettysburg.


Technorati Tags: [Blue Ridge][National Parks][Gettysburg National Battlefield][Adams County][Pennsylvania]