Flags Burned At Veterans Memorial In Lakewood Park

LAKEWOOD, CA — Vandals damaged an American flag and a POW-MIA flag that were on display at a Lakewood park, officials said Saturday.

The vandalism occurred sometime between Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon in Veterans Memorial Plaza at Del Valle Park, on Woodruff Avenue at Henrilee Street, according to Lakewood Mayor Todd Rogers.

"The memorial itself also sustained some minor damage in the form of burn marks to a flag pole and concrete walkway," Rogers said. "The flags appear to have then been burned on top of a nearby yellow sawhorse barrier that asks people to treat the memorial with respect."

The city of Lakewood and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department have launched an investigation but were asking residents and businesses to check video security cameras for suspicious activity during that period.

Veterans Memorial Plaza was built in 1964 and renovated in 2015 and includes a Korean War-era Douglas fighter jet mounted on top of a representation of an aircraft carrier.

"I know I speak on behalf of my City Council colleagues and all Lakewood residents in decrying this shameful act of vandalism that shows great disrespect to the men and women who have served our nation, including those honored at the memorial who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms that these cowardly vandals abused," Rogers said.

The city won't be deterred by the vandalism, he said. The American and POW-MIA flags were expected to fly again and the burn marks on the flag pole and concrete walkway were planned to be repaired within a few days.

Anyone with information was asked to call the Lakewood Sheriff's Station at 562-623-3500.

— City News Service