Iraq War Memorial rebuilt Tuesday
The Iraq War Memorial in Mount Pleasant was reconstructed Tuesday after two vandals tore down the bronze statue in early April.
Rosebush resident Linda Fabian, whose family helped construct the memorial at Island Park, 331 N. Main St., said it features a new bronze cast of an M16 rifle and helmet, identical to the previous cast.
Mount Pleasant Police Information Officer Dave Sabuda said the police department returned the original memorial to the family, which was too damaged to be replaced on the monument.
The new cast cost $3,000 and labor fees added an extra $200 to $300.
"I think they felt sorry for us, so they gave us a discount," Fabian said.
The money to replace the monument came from part of the reward money that was offered for finding the memorial and from the family, although Fabian said the vandals are supposed to pay restitution.
The new memorial was replaced more securely than the original.
"This one has a different base. If people do turn it and twist it, people cannot lift it up," Fabian said.
The family is also increasing security measures to protect the memorial with brighter lighting and a security system of cameras.
"We were told it's too bright, but too bad. It's staying," Fabian said.
Her goal is to have security systems on each of the monuments in Island Park.
"We're just looking into opportunity to potentially put cameras there," said Christopher Bundy, Mount Pleasant Parks and Recreation director of recreation and sports. "They will record over time and if anything should happen we can go back and look at them."
He does not yet know where the funds would come from.
Fabian is hoping the new memorial will be more secure.
"Knock on wood, you never know," she said. "There is no such thing as never. I found out the hard way that if somebody wants it, they will take it."
The rifle and helmet of the memorial were torn down in April by two juveniles, who were charged with malicious destruction of a tomb, according to court records.
Last week, Isabella County Trial Judge William T. Ervin sentenced the 13- and 14-year-old boys to 250 and 200 hours of community service and 15 and 12 months of probation, respectively, said Court Administrator Lance Dexter.
The memorial originated through Fabian's family and the family of Justin Ellsworth, a local soldier who was killed in Iraq.
"My son is in service too - Eric and Justin (Ellsworth) graduated together," she said. "Eric wanted me to make sure everybody at home knew that what they were doing was positive and making a difference. He wanted to make sure he was remembered."
Ellsworth's birthday is Thursday, Fabian said.
"It's kind of like he's getting his birthday present," she said.
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