Community leaders and veterans are determined to replace stolen plaques from three Naugatuck Valley war memorials and there's now a fund set up to collect donations.
The Valley Community Foundation announced the creation of the Veterans Memorial Plaques Restoration Fund during a news conference in Ansonia Thursday morning.
It comes just two months after thieves took off with the plaques from memorials in Ansonia, Derby and Seymour.
"We look forward to helping Ansonia, Derby and Shelton restore these valuable parts of our common history," said Jamie Cohen, the president of the foundation.
Congressman Chris Murphy (D- 5th District) recently introduced legislation in Congress to make it a federal crime for suspects to transport anything stolen from war memorials across state lines.
Authorities believe the plaques may have ended up being sold at out of state scrapyards.
"The fact that thieves would see them as a source of profit is absolutely revolting," Murphy said Thursday.
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Naugatuck Valley veterans are hoping the thieves are caught soon. They're also hoping donations pour in to the new restoration fund.
"Breaking apart a veterans memorial is about as low as one can go on the scale of human life," said Bernie Williamson of the Derby VFW.
"When you do something to disrespect any veteran you disrespect all veterans," said Dennis Salzer of the Shelton American Legion.
To learn more about how to donate to the fund, click here.
