Statue's vandals need to apologize for their crime

It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter regarding the vandalism of the Statue of Liberty. It is my hope that the people who damaged the statue may hear or read this letter and develop some empathy and remorse for their crime.

The statue was donated by the estate of Lee Turner, who was my mother. My mother anonymously donated thousands of dollars yearly to Toys For Tots and gave hundreds of dollars in food to the Boy Scouts food drive on a yearly basis. Chances are likely that the people who did this awful thing at some point and time were the beneficiaries of those great acts of kindness. My mother was also a great patriot. That statue stood in her yard for many years. I have been so very proud to see the community and tourist alike enjoy having their pictures taken with it and seeing them in the paper. I have spent many hours just watching as they have visited the statue. For our family this stands as a memorial to my mother and speaks to her giving heart although she always wanted to remain anonymous she always had a great concern for the children in Sandpoint.

It is my hope that should the people who did this damage or any other person that might read this will think before they damage any landmark or property and remember that they aren't just vandalizing an inanimate object and that the community and families provide these special and unique sites to make Sandpoint a wonderful place to live.

I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for the support of the community, to the city, to the company that has volunteered to repair the damages and for the reward that has been offered. Your kindness and generosity reminds me why our family wanted to give such an important part of the memory of our mother to be shared with the community and why Sandpoint is such a great place to live.

TAMMY PALANIUK

Careywood