The World War II Memorial was found Thursday vandalized and a fountain overflowing with bubbles. U.S. Park Police were blocking off the National Mall memorial around 4 p.m.: “Clean Hands, Dirty Money,” read letters painted in bright pink spray paint. Before police cordoned off the area, people played with clouds of bubbles that filled a fountain. Police have not commented on the bubbles in the fountain. The Department of the Interior called the vandalism a “total disgrace.” “The World War II Memorial is a sacred place to honor the service of our members of the Armed Forces and the more than 400,000 Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice in World War II,” they said in a statement. “The vandalism that occurred is a complete disgrace and will not be tolerated. Our US Park Police are on scene and the investigation is ongoing. The public should know that we will find the person responsible for this disgusting act.” “There are many places in our country for expression, debate and disagreement,” said a nonprofit that preserves the monument. “A national monument honoring those who served and those who never returned home should never be used as a canvas for vandalism.” No information about a possible suspect was immediately released. Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story. News4 sends breaking news via email. Go here to sign up to receive breaking news alerts in your inbox.
