LANCASTER, NY (WKBW) — The Russell J. Salvatore’s Patriots and Heroes Park on Transit Road in the Town of Lancaster, which pays tribute to the U.S. military and first responders, was the target of extensive vandalism.
But Russell Salvatore already has it being restored and has received an outpouring of support from the community.
“I will bring it back stronger than it was by June or July,” remarked Salvatore “There was really a mess yesterday out here. This morning quite a few people showed up — cleaned the place up on their own.”
Quick repair work is underway at Russell J. Salvatore's Patriots and Heroes Park that was brutally vandalized overnight Wednesday. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/MpL8gzb7ZZ
— Eileen Buckley (@eileenwkbw) March 3, 2023
Salvatore has poured his love into the special park.
But Thursday morning he says he was so sad to find parts of this park were damaged.
“You could not believe the mess — the 'Tomb of the Unknown Solider' was all broken. Every lamp was broken. Statues were broken. He had a big pole just breaking everything around here,” Salvatore described.
Salvatore says he was told the vandal was live on Snapchat as he ripped apart the park — destroying flags, smashing lights, tearing apart artwork, and leaving graffiti.
But despite the brutal damage to this military park, work is already underway to restore it back to its beauty.
Crews were out at the site Friday clearing away the mess and making repairs.
"We got robbed. It's hard to believe, I mean that anybody would do something like this,” reacted Bill Knoff, Cheektowaga resident.
Knoff heard about the damage and had to see it for himself. The army veteran tells me it is “heartbreaking”.
“That somebody would do this — the people in the military give up their lives and die,” responded Knoff.
Salvatore says Lancaster Police is investigating the vandalism, but he has no answers to why someone would commit such a nasty act.
“If he comes out — the guy better not walk the streets — people will punch him the nose,” Salvatore commented.
“What is your message to that person?” Buckley asked. “I would say either I'm sorry for you that you're so sick — that's probably what I would tell him. There's no sense in spitting at him or hollering at him — he's sick and the Lord will pay him back,” replied Salvatore.
Salvatore turns 90 in April, and it was his 88-year-old long-time, dear friend and artist, Donald Parrino, who created statues and some items in this park. A plaque describing his work at the park contains the words “In Pursuit of Justice" and that's exactly what Salvatore is hoping law enforcement will do to solve this despicable crime.
