The new Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in Johns Creek was vandalized, police said.
“The Wall That Heals,” located at Newtown Park, is a 250-foot-long half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and had been scheduled to open in March but was delayed until November due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Vandals made numerous dents on name plates located along the left side of the memorial; and defaced the right side leaving long scrape marks similar to when a car is keyed, said Sgt. Tyler Seymour.
Nearby veterans association members estimate repairs could cost up to $80,000, he said.
Johns Creek police Chief Chris Byers expressed frustration about the crime on Twitter. “I could not be more ashamed of whoever felt the need to vandalize and desecrate the Wall That Heals at Newtown Park,” he said.
The replica wall has 24 individual panels with the names of 58,000 American service personnel who died in the Vietnam War. Before arriving in Johns Creek, it was a traveling exhibit of the nonprofit Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund for more than 10 years.
Police have asked anyone with information to call 678-474-1600.