Man charged with 'fornicating' War Memorial
By Matt Day, Ottawa Sun First posted: Monday, August 03, 2015 04:50 PM EDT | Updated: Monday, August 03, 2015 08:02 PM EDT
A 22-year-old man faces charges after police say he was seen climbing the National War Memorial monument and began “fornicating the statue.”
A group of people near the Memorial called police at around 11:30 p.m. Sunday night.
Minister of Veterans Affairs Erin O’Toole called the act “deplorable”.
“It is disheartening that some people cannot respect the sacredness of the National War Memorial in our nation’s capital,” he said.
“It is encouraging that good citizens in Ottawa called the police when they witnessed this shameful behaviour.”
He took time out of his campaigning to comment to the Sun.
Joel VanSlick, zone commander overseeing 10 Legions in Ottawa, said something like that should never happen.
“It’s disrespectful to all veterans, past, present and future,” he said.
“It’s not meant for Joe Blow to climb it and do whatever he wants.”
Police say the man was charged with mischief and appeared in court Monday and was released.
Police did not identify him.
The National War Memorial was first unveiled in 1939 to commemorate the response of Canadians in the First World War.
Over the years, the memorial has come to symbolize the sacrifice of all Canadians who have served in times of war.
It’s not the first time the National War Memorial has been disgraced.
On Canada Day in 2006, a Montreal man was photographed urinating on the memorial.
The act set off a furious firestorm around the country and Stephen Fernandes, who was 23 at the time, admitted to the act before apologizing and completing 50 hours of community service at a veterans’ home.
Anyone with information, or video of the latest incident, is asked to contact Ottawa Police.
matt.day@sunmedia.ca
The National War Memorial. (Ottawa Sun file photo)
Man charged with 'fornicating' War Memorial | Ontario | News | Toronto Sun
By Matt Day, Ottawa Sun First posted: Monday, August 03, 2015 04:50 PM EDT | Updated: Monday, August 03, 2015 08:02 PM EDT
A 22-year-old man faces charges after police say he was seen climbing the National War Memorial monument and began “fornicating the statue.”
A group of people near the Memorial called police at around 11:30 p.m. Sunday night.
Minister of Veterans Affairs Erin O’Toole called the act “deplorable”.
“It is disheartening that some people cannot respect the sacredness of the National War Memorial in our nation’s capital,” he said.
“It is encouraging that good citizens in Ottawa called the police when they witnessed this shameful behaviour.”
He took time out of his campaigning to comment to the Sun.
Joel VanSlick, zone commander overseeing 10 Legions in Ottawa, said something like that should never happen.
“It’s disrespectful to all veterans, past, present and future,” he said.
“It’s not meant for Joe Blow to climb it and do whatever he wants.”
Police say the man was charged with mischief and appeared in court Monday and was released.
Police did not identify him.
The National War Memorial was first unveiled in 1939 to commemorate the response of Canadians in the First World War.
Over the years, the memorial has come to symbolize the sacrifice of all Canadians who have served in times of war.
It’s not the first time the National War Memorial has been disgraced.
On Canada Day in 2006, a Montreal man was photographed urinating on the memorial.
The act set off a furious firestorm around the country and Stephen Fernandes, who was 23 at the time, admitted to the act before apologizing and completing 50 hours of community service at a veterans’ home.
Anyone with information, or video of the latest incident, is asked to contact Ottawa Police.
matt.day@sunmedia.ca
The National War Memorial. (Ottawa Sun file photo)
Man charged with 'fornicating' War Memorial | Ontario | News | Toronto Sun
