Memorial Day Crosses ‘Desecrated’ By Kentucky Man Who Drove His Car Through The Display


Hundreds of Memorial Day crosses were “desecrated” Saturday after a Kentucky man allegedly drove his car through the display that had been set up for the holiday.

Henderson, Kentucky, resident Anthony Burres, 27, of was taken into custody after surveillance footage identified a late 1970s model Ford Thunderbird allegedly belonging to Burres driving on a sidewalk near the Memorial Day cross display. Facebook posts from community members helped identify the culprit, according to the Huffington Post.

Residents of the town of Henderson, west of Louisville, are trying to repair the display of crosses that honored more than 5,000 men who had served in various conflicts since the Revolutionary War.

Jennifer Richmond, a spokeswoman for the Henderson city police department, said the town is stunned by such a blatant display of disrespect.

“It has really upset the entire community. This is something you don’t do. This is a form of desecration. These people served their country and then someone disrespected their memory in this way, and it’s just totally unacceptable.”

According to Richmond, the names on the crosses represent soldiers from the city and county of Henderson who died in conflicts or veterans who returned home and later died. The yearly tradition of a Memorial Day remembrance ceremony is organized by volunteers and the American Legion.

Just before 6 a.m. on Saturday, Henderson police received a call alerting them that someone had driven through the display of crosses at the park, said Richmond.

“Our officers got there and saw that someone drove right through the crosses and essentially ploughed them down.”

Burrus, who denies any involvement in the incident, has been charged with criminal damage and leaving the scene of an accident, according to a statement posted on the Henderson Police Department Facebook page.

“Anthony Burrus has been arrested for Criminal Mischief 1st Degree and Leaving the Scene of an Accident regarding the destruction of crosses in Central Park. The car Burrus was driving, a 1979 Ford Thunderbird, was found abandoned at McDonald’s on South Green Street. Pieces of a cross and stake to hold the cross were found embedded in the tires.”

According to Fox 13, some of the Memorial Day crosses were embedded in the tires of his vehicle, said Richmond. Police do not know if he deliberately drove over the plastic crosses or was under the influence when he drove through the display, she said.

“He said he didn’t do it. He admitted to driving the vehicle in the morning but would not state that he drove through the park. But the evidence is in his car tyres.”

According to police, an estimated 160 crosses — each worth about $100 — were damaged in the incident.

“We’re hoping to have all of them replaced by Monday. But we don’t know right now.”

Volunteers from the Henderson Fire Department and the American Legion banded together after the incident to restore 140 of the crosses to their rightful places, Fox 13 reported. Twenty crosses were completely destroyed, and it was unclear if they would be replaced in time for the Memorial Day service on Monday.

The “desecration” of the Memorial Day cross display has angered residents, prompting an emotional response on social media.

Police have asked people to mind their language when posting on their Facebook page.

“Please keep it clean. We understand your anger and sadness because we feel it too.”

The Memorial Day Crosses will hopefully be back in place before Monday’s holiday to honor veterans.

[Image via Henderson Police Department]

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