Clean-up crews struggling to remove oil from South Boston World War II memorial

BOSTON (WHDH) - A senseless act of vandalism at the World War II memorial on Castle Island in South Boston has left residents outraged and state officials struggling to repair the damage.

Troopers responding to a report of vandalism around 11:30 a.m. Monday learned that someone had splashed or poured what appeared to be motor oil on the granite memorial, according to a state police spokesman.

On Tuesday, state police noted that “because of the nature of the substance thrown on the memorial, clean up has proven difficult.”

Tom Troy, who went to visit the memorial that bears his uncle’s name, was dismayed by the damage.

“I’m terribly angry that some individual would perform a cowardly act like this,” he said.

Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn was also shocked by what happened.

“I’m outraged at what took place in South Boston,” he said. “This isn’t reflective of the people in South Boston. We respect and admire our veterans and military families.”

Robert Shure, who designed the monument to honor the fallen sons of South Boston, is sickened by the senseless act.

“It has made my heart sick, really. It’s just disgraceful. It’s a horrible thing,” he said.

The oil has sunk into the porous granite, leaving an unsightly stain that just will not wash away.

Elbow grease, power washers, steam-cleaning devices, and a number of chemicals have proved no match for the mess.

No matter what it takes, Flynn says the memorial will be returned to its original form.

“This is a town and a city that never forgets those served and sacrificed in the United States military and we’re proud of them,” he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police barracks in South Boston at 617-740-7710.

(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)