http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HALR8bZeXJI

Dear Brothers,

As a child in the 1940's, traveling with my dad from New Jersey to Staten Island, he would drive around a traffic circle in Perth Amboy before going over the Outerbridge Crossing to Staten Island. I remember that in the center of that circle was a WWI monument of an American Doughboy charging through barbed wire carrying his Springfield rifle in one hand and the other raised high above his shoulders. I learned later that the statute by John Paulding was titled "Over the Top". As a youngster I was in awe by that green patina soldier and always looked for him on our travels. And then one day he was lying on the ground, pulled from the pedestal that held him in the highest esteen; his rifle and bayonnet bent, never to be straighten, even after he was placed upon his rightful perch. Again he suffered the humiliation of being torn down and never to be returned for me to admire and dream of his great feats of courage. I am at a loss to this day, trying to understand why some of my fellow citizens would stoop to such a level as to defile and destroy our monuments that we Americans hold so dear. There doesn't seem to be a historic place in our country that hasn't been victimized; parks, town squares and even cemeteries go unprotected from this vermin. Bridgeton, New Jersey, is the scene of the latest destruction. The monument to Co. K has been damaged by vandals and needs to be restored. The town hasn't he funds to complete the restoration and is calling upon the public for donations. I am asking members of the Artillery Reserve to dig down into their pockets and donate to this worthy cause. As artillery reenactors, we are dedicated to Civil War preservation and the legacy of those who fought to make America 'one Nation indivisible'. After viewing the video, I am sure that you will agree that another day without restoration of "Soldier at Rest" would be unacceptable.