A statue of an American eagle was smashed to pieces outside the American Legion 1066 in Massapequa after vandals knocked down a concrete pillar. What they didn't know is that the building is protected by surveillance cameras.
"It's the American eagle, it's the symbol of freedom," the Legion's Jack Hipp said. "But not the freedom to do this kind of damage."
The 300-pound eagle and the pillar it perched on came crashing down around 1 a.m.
Hipp, a Vietnam-era veteran, says every activity at the Legion is covered by surveillance, and that the cameras caught two possible suspects running away from the scene shortly after the damage was done. Hipp doesn't know who would do such a thing to a symbol of freedom so close to the Fourth of July holiday.
"It's hurtful," he said. "It's outrageous that this should happen here, especially on...well, on any weekend, any day. It's just not right. This is total disrespect for veterans."
Veterans have been coming by all day to survey the damage, and they are understandably upset. Police are investigating the incident.
Cngressman Peter King had harsh words for those who would target vets during this time in America's history.
It's an assault on the community and a slap in the face to men and women in Iraq.
