By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
Vandalism Strikes Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania, a site of immense historical significance where a key Civil War battle took place, has recently fallen victim to vandalism.
According to a statement released by the National Park Service (NPS) on August 21, vandals defaced the War Department Observation Tower and a large rock nearby with spray paint and graffiti. The acts of vandalism occurred over several days, with carved inscriptions and graffiti marring the historic site.
Park Superintendent Kristina Heister expressed deep concern, noting the impact of the damage. "Our hearts sank when these two cases of vandalism were reported within days of each other," Heister said. "We were fearful that the graffiti carved into the rock may be there for future generations."
Fortunately, park staff managed to completely remove the vandalism. A pre repair photo shared on Gettysburg Battlefield’s social media depicted carvings including the names "Jayce and Maddie," a heart, and the date "9/13/20," among other markings.
Heister extended her gratitude to both the park staff who worked to erase the damage and the visitors who promptly reported it. She emphasized the ongoing effort to identify those responsible for the defacement.
“We can’t do it alone. Vandalism of irreplaceable historic objects and structures that belong to all Americans should concern everyone,” Heister added. “We all share in the responsibility of protecting and caring for this special place, and everyone is a steward of the heritage, history, and resources of Gettysburg during their visit.”
Unfortunately, vandalism is not uncommon in America’s national parks. The NPS frequently seeks public assistance in identifying those responsible. In 2020, a Canadian man turned himself in after defacing rocks and historic structures in California’s Joshua Tree National Park with the names "Steve & Lacy." His actions were brought to light by an acquaintance who saw photos of the graffiti on social media.
More recently, rangers at the Grand Canyon National Park, the second most visited national park in the United States, issued a stern warning against the practice of leaving "love locks" on park structures. These locks, often attached by couples as a symbol of their relationship, have caused harm to the park’s infrastructure.
Additionally, the discarded keys were being consumed by endangered California condors, who were attracted to the shiny objects and became ill, sometimes requiring surgery. While some may view "love locks" as a romantic gesture, the NPS classifies them as both graffiti and litter. "Love is strong," the Grand Canyon's Facebook page stated, "but our bolt cutters are stronger."
