Veteran’s broken headstone found near coast boat launch

WARRENTON, Ore. (AP) – The Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office says a broken, military-style headstone was found near a boat launch in Warrenton, and it’s trying to determine the identity of the veteran it belonged to.

Sheriff Tom Bergin said Thursday the headstone appeared to be intentionally damaged. It’s missing several pieces, including those with the date of birth and date of death.

He said the letters “E and R” are discernable, and they are believed to be the last two letters of the veteran’s name. Investigators also determined the veteran had been in the Air Force and served in both Korea and Vietnam.

The sheriff says the blatant disrespect for the veteran’s headstone is an outrage. He has asked for the public’s help in finding out the identity of the veteran so the headstone can be respectfully replaced.