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BRIEF: Vandals damage veterans memorial at Hinckston Run Dam

Tribune-Democrat - 7/8/2018

July 08--Vandals struck Laurel Highlands Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, stealing a flagpole and destroying flower pots, authorities said.

Ron Shawley, executive director of Laurel Highlands Historical Village, said when volunteers visited the site on Saturday, they found the flagpole gone.

"They took the aluminum pole and left the flag and the rope laying there," he said. "I'm so fed up."

The Veteran's Memorial, at Hinckston Run Dam in Middle Taylor Township at the end of the Honan Avenue Hiking and Biking trial, was built to honor all military veterans from the Laurel Highlands area, those serving in war time or peace time.

"This is a great way to saying thank you for all you've done," Shawley said. "It's a slap in the face."

The hiking and biking trail was vandalized in 2016 when two young men tossed a concrete bench over the hillside. The vandals were later identified from a video.

Donations to replace the flag pole and flag light can be sent to Laurel Highlands Historical Village, 172 Allbaugh Park Road, Johnstown, PA 15909.

Patrick Buchnowski is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 532-5061. Follow him on Twitter @PatBuchnowskiTD.

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