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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Seniors eye less expensive, simple answers for Andover High prom
Andover High seniors Matt McIver, left, and Liam Centrella are dressing casually for their prom.
Three prom-going teen girls in their senior year at Andover High School are talking about their bargain shoes, not costly gowns, hair appointments and make-up.
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With eyes toward college expenses, adopting a more laid back approach to the prom is becoming the norm for seniors - but not necessarily juniors - attending the junior and senior prom at the school. -
Pink slip warnings for 66 teachers
More than 10 percent of Andover teachers have been given pink slips in the past week, as the town prepares for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
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A total of 66 pink slips, warning of possible future layoffs, went out to all of the school district's non-professional status teachers in preparation for an unknown number of layoffs at the end of the fiscal year. Non-professional status teachers are teachers with less than three years of full-time teaching experience in Andover. -
ClownTown coasts into Park this weekend
What could be better than a carnival, complete with rides, games and festival food, setting up shop at the Park on Bartlet Street for two days and nights?
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Well, all of the money raised by it benefiting area children and schools, of course! - Board: Five-story housing project too tall
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- Thursday, May 10, 2012
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