It's been almost two weeks since vandals toppled and broke three monuments dating from 1885 to 1888 at Gettysburg National Military Park. Now, groups have come together to offer a $36,000 reward for the arrest of the vandals. The vandalism is the worst in memory, according to the National Park Service. The last time there was such widespread damage at Gettysburg was 1913, when nine monuments were vandalized. Early estimates of the damage approach $75,000. It's so sad to think that people would desecrate memorials to brave soldiers in such a way.

The desecrated Gettysburg monuments in the rocky Devil's Den section of Gettysburgh National Military Park include memorials to the 11th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and the 4th New York (Smith's) Independent Battery. The monuments were originally placed on the battlefield by the veterans who fought in the battle, and predate Gettysburg's designation as a national park, which occurred in 1895.

If the vandals are found, they could be prosecuted under the Archeaological Resources Protection Act because the damaged monuments are more than 100 years old. The Veterans Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act, passed in 2003, could also apply. Both laws carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and stiff fines.

The $36,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the vandals has been assembled from donations by a number of different groups and individuals, including the Gettysburg National Battlefield Museum Foundation, the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides, the Gettysburg Civil War Roundtable and the Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg. Gettysburg businessman David Levan also contributed $5,000, and $1,000 came from Adams County Crime Stoppers.

Anyone with information about the vandalism can call the park at 1-717-334-0909 or Adams County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-869-8057.

Photo: National Park Service