Albany Vietnam Memorial Defaced By Graffiti

Joseph Pollicino, 68, rushed to the granite and bronze memorial in Lafayette Park in the morning, when he heard the words "(expletive) militarism!" had been spray-painted in large black letters on its midsection. The former Marine Corps corporal shook his head as he accused the vandal of not only desecrating the monument, but politicizing the deaths of dozens of service members named on it. State troopers and Albany police were investigating what they called an act of vandalism and asked anyone with information to call 474-5330. The mayor said she would be willing to work with state officials to bring surveillance cameras to the park. The group raised $250,000 to refurbish the 23-year-old county Vietnam memorial with new stone features, benches, a 30-foot lighted flagpole and more.