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LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Thieves have stolen a cross in the Mojave Desert
that honored American war dead, less than two weeks after the U.S.
Supreme Court allowed the religious symbol to remain on federal land.
The 7-foot-high cross was stolen late Sunday or early Monday by
thieves who cut the metal bolts that attached the symbol to a rock
in the sprawling desert preserve, National Park Service spokeswoman
Linda Slater said.
Authorities had no immediate motive for the theft but ideas range
from scrap metal scavengers to people "with an interest in the
case," Slater said.
A $25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the
arrest and conviction of the thieves, she said.
Veterans groups were outraged.
"The American Legion expects whoever is responsible for this vile
act to be brought to justice," said Clarence Hill, the group's
national commander. "While the memorial has been attacked, the fight
will continue to ensure that veterans memorials will remain sacrosanct."
The Veterans of Foreign Wars first placed a cross on the rock in
1934 to honor the dead troops of World War I. Slater said she did
not know when the latest version was erected.
Late last month, the Supreme Court refused to order the removal of
the cross by a 5-4 vote in a controversial case focusing on the
separation of church and state.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MOJAVE_CROSS?SITE=ILEDW&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
<http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MOJAVE_CROSS?SITE=ILEDW&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT>
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