Detectives continue investigating Saturday morning’s vandalism at the World War I monument at the intersections of Rising Sun, Cottman and Oxford avenues in Burholme.
An individual spray painted the monument, including with the words, “Hamas is here.”
The Community Life Improvement Program immediately cleared the graffiti.
Police have pictures of the suspect fleeing on a red motorized bike. He was wearing all black clothing and a white head wrap.
Anyone with information can call Northeast Detectives Division at 215-686-3153/54.
The monument was dedicated in 1928. There are 89 names on the monument of Burholme residents who fought in World War I. There were 71 members of the U.S. Army, 16 in the Navy and two in the Marine Corps. Two members of the Army died in the war.
When the graffiti was discovered, the community rallied.
Steve Phillips, president of Fox Chase Town Watch, wrote to Tom Conway, the longtime city deputy managing director and head of CLIP. State Rep. Jared Solomon also contacted CLIP.
Michael J. Crescenz Medal of Honor Rising Sun VFW Post 2819 and its Auxiliary contacted police.
Among those on the scene were Burholme Civic Association president Aizaz Gill, secretary Jeanette Scally and treasurer Pat Donnelly; and Kathy McCarthy, president of the VFW Post 2819 Auxiliary.
Gill released the following statement:
“Our community respects our veterans and will never take lightly the cowardly actions of those who defaced our memorial last night. Their actions were not a protest, they were a crime against our community and our nation’s veterans.
“This morning, when the defacement was discovered, the Burholme Townwatch and Civic Association and residents of Burholme came together to do what’s right as they always do. Within hours and with the help of our 2nd Philadelphia Police District and CLIP city workers, the terrible vandalism was addressed and its stain removed from our neighborhood. We thank everyone involved with helping in such a timely manner.”
Congressional candidate Aaron Bashir called the vandalism “a disgrace.”
“I’m very saddened and upset about the vandalism that took place at our World War I memorial at Five Points this past weekend,” Bashir said. “These Burholme residents served our country and deserve our respect. The memorial also represents many veterans who lost their lives and got injured in the war to fight for America. The memorial stands as a witness to the sacrifices that our heroes had to make to ensure our freedoms and liberties. However, the people who vandalized this monument did not respect our heroes. The people filled with anger and hatred used this memorial to highlight their propaganda of hatred and terror. This is unacceptable. No doubt, this is a shameful act, and I strongly condemn this.” ••
