Many veterans in town were disappointed to learn last week that someone had vandalized the town's Vietnam Veterans Memorial, requiring the 15-month-old memorial to be sandblasted Wednesday.
"We know that in no way does this reflect how the community feels about our veterans," said Michael Burke, director of veteran services.
The lyrics of a 1970s protest song and a reference to Iraq were scrawled on the monument in the Park. "War, what is it good for, absolutely nothin'," was written in red marker along with a peace sign.
The lyrics are from "War," a song that Motown soul singer Edwin Starr popularized in 1970.
Near the base of the memorial where the phrase "our cause is just" is etched, a vandal wrote "just like in Iraq."
The markings were made with some kind of felt marker, which soaked into the stone, Burke said yesterday. Methuen Monument is helping the town repair the memorial, which was dedicated May 29, 2006.
While there was no structural damage, "the stone does need to be sandblasted," Burke said. He was not sure how much the work would cost, if anything, but said the town was grateful to the Methuen business for stepping in to help.
Police Lt. Harry Collins said the vandalism was under investigation.
Burke said this week he has talked to several veterans and longtime residents, and that no one could remember something like this happening in Andover.
"This is a disappointing event," he said. "This is an anomaly. If someone does have opposition, there are other ways to vocalize that."
In Haverhill earlier this summer, vandals ruined parts of a Korean War Memorial and spray-painted a World War II monument.
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Vietnam Veterans Memorial defaced
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WEB UPDATE: Adams to challenge Finegold for senate
Paul Adams, state representative of the 17th Essex District which includes most of Andover, has announced that he will run against Barry Finegold, state senator to Andover and other surrounding communities, in this year's election.
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Town 'keeping an eye' on land
Hundreds of filled trash bags, some in piles six feet tall, lay on the front lawn of an Osgood Street property. Neighbors would like to see the town take action, but the health director says the piles do not represent a health hazard.
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High School considers controls on 'grinding' dance
Grinding, a sexually-evocative dance maneuver, is prominent enough at Andover High School dances that some parents are asking school officials to do something about it.
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On Monday, parents, high school administrators and students on the senior board gathered at the high school to discuss the issue at a meeting hosted by the high school's Parent Advisory Council. By the end of the evening, the conversation had gravitated to what seemed to be an underlying issue: alcohol consumption, and how severe a problem it is at Andover High School. - Annual Town Meeting: Town Yard decision, zoning changes face voters
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- Thursday, January 26, 2012
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WEB UPDATE: Adams to challenge Finegold for senate
