Reward up to $1,700 for vandalizd veterans memorial

Even with more than $1,700 contributed toward a reward, Bonners Ferry Police have no suspects for the desecration of the memorial at Veterans’ Memorial Park in front of Boundary County Library.

“The city of Bonners Ferry has agreed to set up a fund to maintain the donations for the reward,” said veteran Mike Ashby. “They will administer the fund and will make the payment out, if and when they are apprehended. The city is willing to hold this fund and return money to donors if the individuals are not apprehended.”

John Cummings, owner of On Site Equipment Repair in Bonners Ferry, matched the three veterans groups, who are offering a combined $600 reward in hopes of nabbing the culprit.

“The men and women have given their lives for freedom and you have people that do this,” said Cummings, who has several family members who served in the military. “Freedom’s not free.”

Dean Hagason, owner of Contractors Northwest in Coeur d’ Alene, has also donated $400 toward the reward.

“There are hundreds of thousands who have died to make it possible for people to freely express themselves,” said Bonners Ferry Korean War Veteran Elden Koon. “That doesn’t mean the freedom to desecrate stuff. I think eventually some kid will rat on them for that much money. If, and hopefully when, they catch the individual, they will get more than a slap on the hand.”

“It is a huge deal,” said Ashby. “It is a descration against the community. Its not just vandalism.”