Governor Pledges Support In Investigation Of Missing Military Grave Markers, Outrage At Criminals

Statement

Governor Pledges Support In Investigation Of Missing Military Grave Markers, Outrage At Criminals

Governor Chet Culver issued the following statement in response to reports of stolen bronze markers from the graves of military veterans in Des Moines. A total of more than 200 markers have been reported stolen from Laurel Hill Cemetery and Glendale Cemetery. Governor Culver pledges the State's support in investigating the matter.

Last year, Governor Culver signed Senate File 2333, which strengthens the laws that apply to veterans' commemorative property, such as grave markers, and places control of such items under the Iowa Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Governor Culver's Statement:

"Our state and nation owes so much to the men and women who wore the uniform. For someone to steal from the graves of our veterans is an outrageous and despicable act. Our veterans have served with bravery and dignity, and there is no lower act than to dishonor their service and their memory. I have directed the Gene Meyer, Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, to provide any assistance necessary to our local law enforcement officials in investigating this crime. Whether it's the criminals who stole the markers or a business that might buy them as scrap metal, I want to make sure we get to the bottom of this in honor of our veterans and their families."

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