Veterans groups were left infuriated and saddened after anti-Israel agitators vandalized a World War I monument in New York City this week, sparking outrage and condemnation from city officials and the community.
The incident occurred near Central Park, where protesters defaced the 107th United States Infantry monument with pro-Palestinian stickers, spray-painted “Free Gaza,” and burned an American flag. The monument, dedicated in 1929, depicts soldiers from the U.S. Army 107th Infantry of the Seventh Regiment breaking through the Hindenburg Line in September 1918.
Mayor Eric Adams, whose uncle died serving in Vietnam, condemned the vandals and offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to their arrest. Veterans organizations like AMVETS and the Veterans of Foreign Wars expressed their outrage, emphasizing the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by soldiers in World War I.
The American Legion, while supporting the right to peaceful protest, expressed disappointment in the desecration of the memorial, calling for the perpetrators to learn about the sacrifices made by American soldiers in the war.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting and honoring the sacrifices of those who fought for democracy and freedom, even as individuals exercise their right to protest.
