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Community pitches in to replace stolen stars
bronze stars stolen
The bronze stars remain missing from the veteran monument at Greenbrook Park. A fundraising drive has raised the money to replace the stolen stars. The crime remains unsolved. A barrier will be put up to discourage other thieves from stealing the new stars once they are installed.

An outpouring of patriotism and love of the area’s history has turned an act of brazen theft into a victory for the good citizens of DeKalb County.

“Somebody stole the bronze stars off the memorial monument,” revealed Joyce Poss, wife of Smithville Mayor Jimmy Poss when she addressed the board of mayor and aldermen recently about the theft that actually happened last fall.

The monument, along with two cannons, were once located on the grounds of the former VFW Howard Gill Post 7623 on Sparta Highway. They were relocated to Green Brook Park after the Post was closed three years ago. The six-sided monument is meant as a tribute to those from DeKalb County who lost their lives during the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and Iraqi Freedom.

The monument had gone untouched for a couple years until someone noticed last September that the bronze stars affixed to it had been taken. The crime remains unsolved and police would love to find out who committed the dastardly deed and are asking for tips from the public so they can bring the thief or thieves to justice.

Mrs. Poss’ address to the city council was not one of retribution but instead one of triumph as she announced the community has come together in a short time to raise $1,470. The amount is more than enough to replace the stars. The additional amount will be used to clean the monument and to affix more names of fallen local soldiers, some of which have been killed during the War on Terror. Mrs. Poss noted the plea went out for donations around Memorial Day and public support was overwhelming as pledges poured in.

The replacement stars have been ordered. Mrs. Poss said before the new stars are affixed there will be a security fence erected around the monument, making it harder for thieves to get in and steal the new stars.