An artifact from the Second World War has been hit by vandals at CFB Gagetown.
Vandals spray painted a swastika, a four-letter word and the word pongo, which is slang for soldier, on a vintage tank which sits at the base’s front gate.
Despite attempts to remove them, the words are still visible. Police believe the vandals struck sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning.
The paint job has drawn a great deal of reaction, but the base says most of that has come from the community.
“I think that's a sign of the fact that what was painted on the tank behind me is facing the town of Oromocto and it could be, more so, a message for all than something specific to the base,” says Capt. Jamie Donovan of CFB Gagetown.
“It's, again, very unfortunate and I don't believe it's being looked upon by base personnel as something that's having an effect on morale."
Patrick Parker is the president of the legion branch in the military town. He says the Sherman Tank stands as a memorial to those who served as crew during the Second World War, the Korean War and other missions.
“This was a rededication to those people and to have something like that defaced, for no reason at all, is very, the veterans do not like that at all,” says Parker.
Base officials say there is no evidence of other acts of vandalism on or near the base. They plan to share their information and findings with the local RCMP while the incident is under investigation.
Another tank, about two kilometres from the base is untouched, but there are signs of graffiti elsewhere in town.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Andy Campbell
