Tag Archives: world war 1

Mojave Memorial Reward Increased

Thanks to an anonymous donor, the reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for stealing the World War I memorial in the Mojave desert is now $125,000.  The cross memorial was cut from its foundation, and an unverified letter provided to a local paper claimed responsibility.

Thus far, the thief has found no quarter even among those who agree with his perspective, if not his actions.  It will be interesting to see if the person who claims to act with honorable intent continues to do so.

Letter Claims Responsibility for Mojave Cross Theft

In an interesting (if unverifiable) development in the drama of the WWI memorial in Mojave, an anonymous letter was given to a local paper claiming responsibility and containing a numbered list of justifications for the theft.  The author says

If an appropriate and permanent non-sectarian memorial is placed at the site the cross will be immediately returned…Alternatively, if a place can be found that memorializes the Christian Veterans of WWI that is not on public land the Cross will promptly be forwarded with care and reverence for installation at the private site.

Interestingly, a wide variety of groups have disavowed the theft, including the Read more

Mojave WWI Memorial Stolen

The VFW cross that has stood in the Mojave desert for decades — and survived a lawsuit all the way to the Supreme Court — has reportedly been ripped from its foundations and stolen.  This was apparently no small feat, as it is located in a remote part of the desert, was fastened firmly to the ground, and made of 6-8 feet (depending on who’s measuring) of concrete-filled pipe.

A reward has been offered for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.  While the ACLU and others have disavowed criminal activity, some have said this was the result they sought, even if not the means.

The caretakers for the cross have already begun the process to replace it, intending to put up one identical to the one erected in 1934.  The Alliance Defense Fund issued a release condemning the vandalism, and included pictures of the cut bolts where the cross stood.

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