Veterans' tombstones vandalized in West Bridgewater cemetery

WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Vandals toppled headstones, shattered statues, and snapped miniature flags in a West Bridgewater cemetery last weekend, officials said.

A visitor at historic Pleasant Hill Cemetery reported the damage to police on Sunday morning.

Cousins Jane Borus and Debra Veronesi were heartbroken to see their family members' headstones toppled on Monday. Borus's grandparents and Veronesi's aunt and uncle are buried in the Andre family plot.

"They were very close to me. This just kills me," Borus said. "They must have something better to do with their time than to do this. I don't understand it."

"It's sad. I mean, this whole area is all family," Veronesi added, in tears. "I don't know what would possess them to think this is funny, because it's not."

Some of the graves are those of veterans. Flags and military gear were snatched from some graves and strewn throughout the back corner of the cemetery, just days before Veterans Day.

Lauren Delaney, who has been on the cemetery board of directors for about 30 years, said the cemetery has been hit three other times since 2012. More than two dozen headstones have been spray painted since then. Some of the oldest ones, without a glossy finish, are nearly impossible to scrub off.

"Those were a lot of Civil War veterans, a lot of stones from the 17, 1800s that can't be replaced," Delaney said. "It's heartbreaking. It really is. There's really no words for it."

While Delaney believes veterans may have been targeted, police say they do not have evidence to confirm that motive.

Plymouth County Sheriff's investigators tried to collect fingerprints on the stones. West Bridgewater police are asking the public for information about anyone seen in the area between Saturday night and Sunday morning, though the cemetery is in a somewhat remote area.

Meanwhile, Delaney set up a GoFundMe fundraising account to cover the cost of repairs as well as a security system for the cemetery.

Cox Media Group