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AMERICAN FORK — You'll often find Kevin Barnes visiting the American Fork cemetery. The cemetery is one of Barnes’ responsibilities, as he is a member of the city council.
It is also where his son, Nathan, is buried.
“Nathan is our son, who was killed in Iraq. It will be nine years ago, this Sunday the 17th,” Barnes said.
There is a veteran's monument for each specific conflict since World War I at the cemetery. But the one that honors those who have fought in the War on Terror was defaced sometime early Friday morning.
When Barnes heard about the vandalism to the memorial, it hurt even more.
"It is a personal insult to us, to him and to every person who has ever put on the uniform and served our country,” Barnes said.
American Fork resident Frank Volpe is upset as well. A native New Yorker, he was in New York City on September 11th and offered his expertise as a painter to help clean it up.
"It just made me mad to see something like this tagged,” Volpe said. "I am a veteran myself and I saw it on KSL. I live close by and I just thought I had to come and clean it.”
On Monday afternoon, Dalton Memorial Company stopped by and sandblasted away the remaining damage to help restore this monument as a tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
"We understand not everyone is in favor of this war, but that still doesn't mean you can do things like this to those who are serving and to their families,” Barnes said.
Members of the community have pledged $600 towards a reward to help in the arrest and conviction of those responsible. If you have any information, contact the American Fork Police at 801-763-3020.
Contributing: Xoel Cardenas
