Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial vandalized

Several medallions and skateboard stoppers have been stolen from the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Jim Moran, custodian for the site honoring veterans at Front and Spruce Streets, said the markers were taken sometime late Monday or during the day Tuesday.

The vandals took two brass star medallions and three skateboard stoppers, Moran said. They will cost at least $1,500 to be replaced, he said, and it wasn't known how long it would take for the repairs to be made.

"It's going to take awhile to get them," he said.

The stolen stoppers and medallions were installed when the memorial, which bears the names of 646 local soldiers who died during the Vietnam War, was remodeled about two years ago.

The theft was reported to the police and there are surveillance cameras at the site, Moran said, but it was too early to know if the suspects were captured on footage.

The memorial has been plagued by other crimes over the years, including stolen flags, ripped wreaths, trash-dumping and graffiti, according to the custodian.

"It just seems like I've been hurt so many times with the vandalism," he said. "All I'm asking is respect."