Advertisement Nothing can explain why someone would want to disgrace the final resting place of so many people.
This is one of the oddest columns I’ve ever felt compelled to write in 20 years of newspapering. That’s because I really want to speak to anyone who knows about this crime or even those who might have done it. Come forward now and help authorities or confess what you have done.
Don’t let this be a mystery any longer.
One can only hope that someone who hears about who did the vandalism makes a phone call.
Crime Stoppers is offering cash rewards for anyone who has information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the vandalism. You can remain anonymous. Doing the right thing, of turning in the vandals, is a reward in itself. Also, $1,000 is a lot of money. It’s more than most hard-working people in Vernon County earn in a two-week pay period.
I have a feeling there are some people out there who know maybe one person, or more, who was involved in what happened at the cemetery. Even if you heard a comment in passing or think you only have part of the story, your phone call could make all the difference. You aren’t “telling” on anybody by making the call. Instead, you’re reporting a crime, which every citizen should do, especially when it is a crime of this magnitude.
Think for a moment if the markers and monuments that were damaged or defaced were those of your family — grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, or your children. Wouldn’t you want somebody who had heard something about this incident to report it?
Sunday was a beautiful day. The Vernon County Historical Society held its annual cemetery walk. About 40 people toured the cemetery. Anyone who has walked through the cemetery in any season knows it is a very peaceful place. It’s hard to believe that just hours after a community event was held on the most sacred ground in the city of Viroqua, some people desecrated that place.
Defacing and destroying cemetery markers in the middle of the night is the type of cowardly act that would only be considered by bullies, people who consider themselves victims or people who just weren’t thinking.
I can’t speak as an instrument of the authorities, but as a human being, taking responsibility for one’s actions is the basis on what a good society is built.
Crime Stoppers can be reached at 637-8477 or 1-800-657-6868.
Vernon County Crime Stoppers also has a website at www.vernoncrimestoppers.com.
Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call the aforementioned numbers or the Viroqua Police Department at 637-2121.
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WVRQ is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Having a local radio station is important to a community. The folks at WVRQ and Q102 keep people updated with important information, entertain them with music and do much, much more.
I really enjoy listening to Trina Erickson and Ernie Betts in the morning.
The interesting part of being a listener for a while is that you feel like you get to know the people on the air. Ernie’s sense of humor in the mornings can make hours of work easier to handle. I really like the snippets of audio from television and film.
I also appreciate the eye-rolling “Oh, My God” moments Trina must experience from time-to-time.
I think Gary Gilbertson and Pete Walby are outstanding sports reporters. Also, with Pete and Gary, I’ve heard them call all sorts of games and you can just tell when our local boys and girls are ahead, in a close game or well behind. I especially like it when the intricacies of officiating are discussed and debated.
I know there’s a whole team of people working behind the scenes to bring these two stations to the airwaves. They get my salute and congratulations on their anniversary.
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You know, it’s been rough lately. This saying by Voltaire is helpful: “Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.”
You can e-mail Matt Johnson at matt.johnson@lee.net
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