Somebody vandalized the Brumbaugh Cemetery near Gravelton Saturday, May 22, stealing flags and destroying memorial flowers placed at the graves of veterans. Photos by Lori Harman.

By Ray Balogh
InkFreeNews

GRAVELTON — Under cover of night on Saturday, May 22, one or more despicable and cowardly miscreants, in an inexcusable vandalistic tantrum, stole the flags and destroyed about a dozen memorial flower arrangements honoring the graves of veterans in Brumbaugh Cemetery near Gravelton north of West CR 1350N between Milford and Nappanee.

The 30 or so wooden flag poles were left in place, leaving Lori Harman, the cemetery’s co-caretaker with her husband, Duane, to “surmise this was intentional desecration of the American flag and not just theft for personal gain.”

The Harmans had recently “personally put out a row of U.S. flags, and as well the local American Legion put out U.S. flags on the graves of every veteran,” said Harman.

“I love America and it literally made me sick to my stomach when I saw what had been done,” she said.

A report has been filed with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, and anyone with information leading to the resolution of this criminal matter can call the sheriff’s office at (574) 267-5667.

“This is more than upsetting with Memorial Day upcoming. Freedom isn’t free. Those veterans paid for our freedom,” Harman said.

Following are photos of the damage. All photos were taken by Lori Harman: