Cops investigate "disgraceful" vandalism of veterans' graves

WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. --Police in southeastern Massachusetts are investigating after vandals damaged several veterans' headstones at a cemetery as Veterans Day approaches, reports CBS affiliate WPRI.

Officials were notified of the vandalism at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in West Bridgewater Sunday, when workers reportedly found two tombstones pushed over, vases smashed and flags snapped in half.

Lauren Delaney, who runs the cemetery, told the station it's the fourth instance of vandalism there, most of which has targeted veterans' graves.

"It's very disheartening. It really is," Delaney told the station. "You don't know whether to be sad and cry or to be angry and fight back."

Delaney said a woman came to visit her husband's grave Sunday to honor their anniversary, to find his headstone toppled over.

"The fact that it being near Veterans Day, being the day of their anniversary, it's heartbreaking," Delaney said.

Another woman visiting her grandparents' damaged grave told the station she was "absolutely devastated."

Delaney believes the vandalism is likely the work of more than one person because of the weight of the tombstones. There are no surveillance cameras close to the cemetery and West Bridgewater police are reportedly asking the public to contact them with any tips.

"It's just unheard of," said Lt. Victor Flaherty of the West Bridgewater Police Department. "It's just disgraceful."