The St. Landry’s Veterans Memorial in Opelouses has been defaced by vandals, and now investigators are looking for answers. Project organizer of the memorial, Pat Mason-Guillory said the area is covered in racial slurs, other derogatory language, as well as damaged lighting and signs.
“What is out there, I just never in my life would have imagined in my life it being done to a memorial. To be honest with you, I’m really at a loss for words,” said Mason-Guillory.
Since the project’s completion, a wall was erected to include the names of parish combatants who died in battle and the names of their family members. Mason-Guillory said a walkway containing 3300 bricks commemorates vets from the parish who served actively from World War I up to current conflicts.
“We are going to stay strong, and we’re going to continue to show respect to the family members of those who are serving our country and those that have served,” said Mason-Guillory.
Detectives from the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office are still looking for leads in the case. Once the investigation at the scene is wrapped up, Mason-Guillory says the community has reached out to assist in the cleanup effort.
“As soon as I find at that we can go, I’ve had so many people say they were willing to come and help,” said Mason-Guillory.
