(CNN) Vandals are also taking place at another US historic site, Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania, site of a key Civil War battle.
According to a statement released by the National Park Service on August 21, an individual, or possibly multiple individuals, have been spray painting and carving graffiti on the War Department Observation Tower and a nearby boulder over the course of several days.
“We were disappointed to see two incidents of vandalism reported within the space of a few days,” park manager Christina Heister said in a statement. “We were concerned that the graffiti carved into the rocks would remain for future generations.”
Luckily, park staff were able to clean up and remove all traces of the vandalism.
Photos of the rock before its restoration shared on Gettysburg Battlefield social media show the names Jace and Maddie, a heart, the date Sept. 13, 2020, and other text carved into the rock.
Heister thanked both the staff who were able to remove the graffiti and park visitors who alerted him to the damage.
She added that even if the vandalism did not result in permanent destruction, the National Park Service is still interested in locating the people behind it.
“We cannot do this alone. The vandalism of historic landmarks and structures that belong to all Americans should be of concern to everyone. We all share a responsibility to protect and care for this special place, and everyone is a steward of Gettysburg's heritage, history and resources during their visit.”
While vandalism is not uncommon in America's national parks, it is also not uncommon for the public to be asked to help catch the perpetrators.
In 2020, a Canadian man who wrote “Steve & Lacey” on rocks and historic buildings in California's Joshua Tree National Forest turned himself in and apologized after an acquaintance saw photos of the graffiti on social media.
Recently, rangers at the Grand Canyon, the second most visited national park in the United States, issued a strong warning against leaving “love padlocks” on structures in the Arizona park.
The keys, which people throw into the water after locking up the structures, not only add to the weight of these structures but are also eaten by the endangered California condors that call the park home. The birds are attracted to shiny objects and eating the keys can make them sick and sometimes require surgery.
While many see the “love locks” as a symbol of romance, the National Park Service considers them graffiti and trash.
“Love is strong,” Grand Canyon wrote on its Facebook page, “but our bolt cutters are stronger.”
CNN Wire
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