Pearl Harbor Day Vandalism

Strikes 9/11 Flag Memorial

By John Voket

First Selectman Pat Llodra called the defacing of a solemn but popular private memorial to those lost on 9/11 an “aberration,” and local detectives continue to process evidence and seek information regarding the vandalism of an American flag landmark at the home of Howard Lasher, who resides at 68 Dodgingtown Road (Route 302) near the Bethel town line.

Mr Lasher commissioned local artist David Merrill to create the multidimensional American flag tribute painted on six trees in memory of those who lost their lives in the September 11 attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and in Pennsylvania.

According to police, sometime between 3 pm on December 6 and 7:30 am on December 7, some person or persons went to the property, threw various colors of acrylic craft paints on the artwork and smashed several spotlights used to illuminate the landmark at night.

Mrs Llodra told The Bee that for ten years, the private memorial has remained untouched, although tens of thousands have passed the landmark on the state road between Newtown and Bethel since its completion.

The first selectman could not understand why such an act was committed on the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack and shortly after the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, but she said she was disheartened by the incident.

“This is not characteristic of the youth of our community, although it is unclear at this point whether it was youthful vandalism or [motivated by] something else,” Mrs Llodra said. “I trust people respect this as a living memorial and Newtown as a community will continue to cherish and preserve it.”

Mr Lasher, who was in New York City at the time of the incident, said Wednesday that he was upset and dismayed by the desecration. “What’s the matter with people?” he asked. “I don’t understand what they were thinking.”

The Newtown Police Detective Division visited the scene, took samples, and will be analyzing information collected to identify who committed the vandalism. Anyone with information is asked to contact the detective division at 203-426-5841.