Thieves steal war artifacts from Salvation Army's Remembrance Day display
Unpatriotic thieves have targeted war artifacts on the Salvation Army's Remembrance Day display.
"It's unfortunate some people would stoop to stealing, with no respect for the cause, our veterans and the good work the Legion does," lamented manager Dave Maandag.
Several items — including a Second World War metal British helmet, and some period photos — were pinched, likely Monday, from the Sally Anne's Island Highway-Coronation Street store, while the Cowichan Legion had good some news.
"So far, there've been no poppy boxes reported stolen - it's amazing " Branch 53's poppy chairwoman Alice Smithson said of some 100 poppy displays dotting Cowichan.
But that wasn't the case in recent years.
"I usually have half a dozen stolen," she said. "We've been picking them up, and no one's reported any losses.
"So far, so good."
But Maandag wasn't as happy about war memorabilia swiped from his Sally Anne store.
"It's stuff we received through some donations. We held them for a display honouring Remembrance Day, the veterans and what they did for us."
Crooks spoiled that salute.
"Now we have to take it down and put (remaining items) under lock and key. We don't have a place for those items this year; we have to create one for next year."
Last year, the Sally Anne saw a brass shell casing stolen from it's Nov. 11 exhibit, "probably for the metal," he noted.
"It's an ongoing concern — people just stealing with no respect for our veterans."
Maandag urged the thieves to return the artifacts so they can be displayed.
Also, locals are invited to donate other war mementos to the Sally Anne for view next year.
Call 250-746-8669.
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