FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2006
Contact: Katie Lawhon
Phone: 717/ 334-1124 x 452

On Three Month Anniversary of Vandalism at Gettysburg, Park Officials Ask the Public for More Information

May 16 marks the three month anniversary of what many consider to be a very sad day for Gettysburg National Military Park. On the morning of February 16, Park Rangers discovered three civil war monuments honoring the soldiers who fought and died in battle at Gettysburg were seriously damaged. The 11th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry monument, the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry monument, and the 4th New York Battery monument were all toppled from their granite bases, and parts of each monument were stolen.

The bronze artilleryman figure from the 4th NY Battery monument at Gettysburg was dragged 162 feet and its head and rammer were stolen. Photo courtesy of Gettysburg National Military Park.

The bronze statue from the 4th NY Battery monument, also known as Smith’s Battery, was dragged 162 feet along a roadway and down a hillside. Both the head of the bronze artilleryman and the rammer were broken off and stolen.

Since that time the Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg, the Gettysburg National Battlefield Museum Foundation, the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides, the Gettysburg Civil War Roundtable, Adams County Crime Stoppers, and park neighbor David Levan have joined together to establish a $36,000 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of person/persons responsible for this vandalism.

The National Park Service is investigating some leads, and is asking for more information from the public.

“Although we have received some leads, we are still looking for that one tip that will put the investigation over the top,” said Tim Sorber, law enforcement supervisor at Gettysburg National Military Park. “Someone out there knows exactly what happened and needs to come forward now. Anyone with information regarding the vandalism can call either Gettysburg National Military Park at 717-334-0909 or Adams County Crime Stoppers at 800-869-8057,” said Sorber.

The National Park Service cares for special places saved
by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
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National Park Service
Gettysburg National Military Park
97 Taneytown Road
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325

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