THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 26, 1994 TAG: 9408250162
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
The small red fliers scattered around the grounds of Old Donation Episcopal Church are not advertising an end of the summer barbecue, auction or fund-raiser for the Witchduck Road parish.
These ``wanted'' posters, however, are publicizing what the 250-year-old church needs from the public - information - to solve a cemetery vandalism case.
Nine damaged tombstones, some from the early 1800s, were discovered last week by a parishioner walking her Great Dane through the peaceful oasis.
``We think of this area as being a sacred burial ground,'' said Hugh Dial Jr., parish secretary. ``It affects people deeply. It disturbs them.''
While some of the granite and marble stones were pushed over or pulled out of the ground, others were shattered. Three of the tombstones, two small headstones and one footstone, all under 50 pounds, were carried from the graveyard and dropped on a slide in a nearby city park. Norfolk Monument Co. estimates the repairs will cost between $500 and $1,000.
``(The vandals) had to work hard to do this,'' Dial added. ``It's an offense. It's a horror that (the cemetery) has been violated.''
Since some of the stones weigh more than 200 pounds, Dial and other church employees are guessing a group of strong individuals did the damage. Since fingerprints cannot be lifted from the dull, aged stones, and an evening rain washed away any tracks or footprints, there are no leads in trying to piece together an investigation.
Dial said he thinks the vandalism was ``spontaneous'' and born of boredom. ``It seemed like a good thing to do at the time; `Let's go trash the cemetery,' '' he said.
The cemetery yard, which is tucked behind a grove of oak, cedar and dogwood trees, has a locally used bike path running through it. Dial assumes the grave wreckers frequent the nearby park.
``Maybe they just wanted to show off how strong they are,'' he said. ``Did they go after certain names? Who knows?''
Even more puzzling to the church employees is the fact that the damage was reversed over the weekend, when two of the once-broken pieces were mysteriously, but sloppily, set back into place for Sunday morning services.
``It just doesn't make any sense,'' said Bob Tripician, senior warden. ``I see a decline in the moral structure of society and this vandalism is evidence of it.''
Anyone with information is asked to call 497-0563. Old Donation is offering a cash reward.
Dial added, ``We hope that the guilty party will have a battle with their conscience and come forward and make restitution.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
Hugh Dial Jr., parish secretary at Old Donation Episcopal Church,
surveys the damage.
Dave Arnold places a tombstone upright after vandals had knocked it
down.
KEYWORDS: VANDALISM
by CNB