(The following is a release from the Montgomery County Office of Communications.)
Following yesterday’s acts of hate committed in three local cemeteries, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Chair Valerie A. Arkoosh. MD, MPH and Vice Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr. issued the following joint statement:
“We are shocked by this despicable act of cowardice on our community where symbols of hate desecrated graves and monuments. We denounce these acts of vandalism and stand in solidarity with our residents and communities affected by this horrific act. There is no room for hate of any kind in Montgomery County and we will continue to stand against those who wish to inflict harm on our community.”
The majority of the graves in the vandalized cemeteries are veteran graves, 1,347 in total. Since the 1920s, the Montgomery County Commissioners have provided free flag holders for veteran’s graves across Montgomery County. Many American flags were trampled and flag holders were broken during the incident.
The Commissioners urge any members of the public who are in need of a replacement or original flag holder to call the Montgomery County Office of Veterans Affairs at (610) 278-3285 or complete an online application. Arrangements can be made for pickup at the Human Services Center, 1430 Dekalb Pike, Norristown, PA 19404.
These flag holders honor interred veterans by their period of conflict and serve as a signal to the County’s over 60 volunteer veteran organizations who place flags on their graves every Memorial Day.
Editor’s note: for more coverage from this incident, click here or watch the video below.
See also:
County Commissioners Spar Over Wearing Masks, Social Distancing
Local Elected Officials Sign Statement Condemning ‘Racist Remarks’ Made by Commissioner Joe Gale
Swastikas Spray Painted on Car in Montgomery Township on ‘Mischief Night’
Racism Dispute Resurfaces During Thursday’s Montgomery County Commissioners Meeting
