The National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., was vandalized Thursday with red graffiti reading “Clean Hands Dirty $,” while soap dumped into its fountain filled the memorial with bubbles.
Authorities blocked off the fountain Thursday afternoon as U.S. Park Police investigated the vandalism. The Interior Department called the incident an “utter disgrace” and vowed to find whoever is responsible.
“The World War II Memorial is a sacred place to honor the service of our members of the Armed Forces and the over 400,000 Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice in WWII,” the department said. “The vandalism that occurred is an utter disgrace and will not be tolerated.”
“Our U.S. Park Police are on the scene and the investigation is ongoing. The public should know we will find the person responsible for this disgusting act.”
Interior Department spokesman Cody Sargent separately condemned the “disgusting vandalism from deranged losers.”
The memorial, dedicated by President George W. Bush in 2004, honors the millions of Americans who served during World War II and those who supported the war effort from home.
Its Freedom Wall features 4,048 gold stars, each representing 100 American military deaths during the war. Beneath them is the inscription, “Here we mark the price of freedom.”
The New York Post reported that tourists immediately condemned the incident.
“It’s really sad. It’s really sad to see that we can’t even experience it,” one woman said.
“Ah geez, that’s sh—y,” exclaimed a male passerby. “It’s kind of shocking for us to see that,” added DC resident Ahmed Cisse.
D.C. Police and National Guard troops began blocking access to the fountain around 4 pm.
Thursday’s vandalism follows another incident on the National Mall in June, when someone wrote “86 47” in graffiti. The number “47” refers to President Donald Trump, the 47th president, while “86” is commonly used as slang for removing or getting rid of something or someone.
No suspect has been publicly identified.
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