VA Condemns Desecration at "Punchbowl" National Cemetery

Washington, D.C. -- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials today expressed outrage and moved to assist in the apprehension of vandals for a weekend attack at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

The vandals spray-painted profane and racist words and statements on all 22 walls in the Columbarium Courts at the cemetery, commonly called "The Punchbowl," between Saturday night and early Sunday morning. The columbaria contain the cremated remains of thousands of veterans, spouses and dependents. The vandals also desecrated the Chapel, grave markers, railings and walls throughout the cemetery, as well as the Courts of the Missing, inscribed with the names of those missing-in-action, at the American Battle Monuments Commission Honolulu Memorial located on the cemetery's grounds.

VA Secretary Jesse Brown responded early Monday by dispatching a high-level official from VA's Security and Law Enforcement Service to assist local authorities in the investigation.
"This was a cowardly and outrageous attack on the dignity and honor of every brave man and woman who has served in our nation's armed forces. We will work with local, state and federal authorities, assisting them to apprehend the criminals and to prosecute them to the absolute maximum extent of the law," said Brown.

Damage estimates are incomplete but are likely to exceed tens of thousands of dollars. Repairs are expected to take several months.

"We will do everything possible to quickly and completely repair the damage to these hallowed grounds," said Jerry Bowen, director of VA's National Cemetery System. "Veterans and VA employees are angered and saddened by this unconscionable criminal act."