Memorial Wreath Theft Riles Woodhaven
Two unpatriotic thieves swiped a memorial wreath and several American flags from the Woodhaven World War II memorial last weekend, it was reported.
Maria Thomson, executive director of the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation (GWDC), told the Times Newsweekly the items were reported missing from the memorial at Forest Parkway Plaza, at the corner of Jamaica Avenue and Forest Parkway, at about 10 p.m. Sunday night, Nov. 16.
The exact time of when the wreath and flags were taken was not immediately known.
Thomson is hopeful images of the suspects captured by nearby security cameras released to the press will help lead to their arrests.
According to Thomson, the artificial wreath-covered in red, white and blue ribbon-was placed at the monument in May during the GWDC’s annual Memorial Day ceremony. Traditionally, the wreath and flags remain on display throughout the year before being replaced at the following year’s ceremony.
TheWoodhavenWorldWar II monument includes the names of local soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the conflict.
The community’s annual Memorial Day service remembers those fallen soldiers and other Woodhaven residents who died in service to the nation in wars past and present.
“This is the first time in my life that anything like that has happened,” Thomson told this paper. “It’s a memorial wreath to our veterans and, being that Veterans Day was just the other day, it’s such a disservice to our veterans and America.”
Others shared in Thomson’s disgust over the theft. Project Woodhaven took to Twitter after learning of the crime, stating, “What kind of dirtbag steals a wreath off a memorial?”
The theft was reported to the 102nd Precinct, and an investigation is ongoing.
“No true American with any type of feelings for our veterans and the sacrifices they have made would do something like that,” Thomson added.
Anyone with information regarding the theft that could prove helpful is asked to call the 102nd Precinct at 1-718-805- 3200; all calls will be kept confidential.
