[VAcourier] Repairs on Richmond gravestones begins

[Virginia Division SCV Communication List]

Since the last report on the damage done to the Confederate Section of 
Oakwood was released additional information has come in.  The Brown's 
Island monument was only thrown over and was set back up without major 
damage.  Oakwood Chairman Lee Hart and members Tom Davis, Grayson 
Jennings, and Brag Bowling went to the cemetery to inspect the damage.  
The large obelisk in section G was broken into three pieces as reported 
and Lt. Duncan Stafford's tombstone was broken in two.  The vandals not 
satisfied with that damage turned their attention to destroying 
adjoining private graves.  It has also been determined that the damage 
occurred about two weeks ago.  The press knew about it and did not 
bother to report it.  It also appears that the City of Richmond did not 
even have the police take a report on the vandalism.  However, since the 
SCV became aware of the damage and started focusing attention on it, the 
Richmond Times-Dispatch did decide to mention the damage today.


Repairs on Richmond gravestones begins
<>Saturday, Jun 23, 2007 - 12:08 AM
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2007-06-23-0147.html

Richmond city workers have begun restoring 40 to 50 gravestones in 
Oakwood Cemetery that were found vandalized this month.

The knocked-over gravestones are mostly in the rear part of the East End 
cemetery, adjacent to the Confederate section. Three of the graves are 
those of Confederate veterans, according to Christie Everson, 
spokeswoman for the city Department of Parks, Recreation and Community 
Services..

"It's very sad and disrespectful, but we're doing what we can to put the 
stones back in place and take care of it," Everson said.

Beer cans were found at the scene and a police report has been filed, 
she said. The vandalized gravestones were discovered June 9.

"We've got over half of them put back, and two of the three Confederate 
ones put back," Everson said. "Our staff is working on putting them back 
in place, as we can."

-- Bailey Stephens


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