Officials in Paramount, a small city in southern Los Angeles County, are pleading for the public to help identify vandals who recently struck a solemn armed forces memorial outside City Hall.
“We are deeply saddened and troubled to report that the ‘Battlefield Cross and Soldier’ art piece at the Paramount Armed Forces Memorial at the Civic Center has been vandalized and pieces have been stolen,” the city shared in a social media post Wednesday.
The metal sculpture depicts a soldier honoring a fallen colleague, who is memorialized by a rifle stuck into the ground with a helmet on top — a traditional military symbol known as a Soldier’s Cross.
It was unveiled in November 2024.
“This is a shameful act of disrespect to those who risked their lives protecting our country and freedoms, as this memorial stands as a symbol of honor and their sacrifice,” the city said. “Let’s stand together to protect the memory of our heroes, #Paramount.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Lakewood Station at 562-623-3500.