Brass Panels Stolen from Guam WWII Memorial

[DoctorP]

Thirty-four of the 99 panels at the Asan Bay Overlook in the War of the Pacific National (other-otc: PCNC.PK - news - people ) Park have been pried off their concrete base.

This is a sad state as stealing metal for recycling profit has been a problem for several years now.

Guam has seen an outbreak of metal thefts as thieves seek to cash in on the skyrocketing price of metal by stealing and selling it as scrap.

Not only in Guam, but also in Okinawa and mainland Japan. Anything out in the open can (and will) be taken. Guardrails, water lines, electrical conduit, wiring, manhole covers, anything that can be taken with minimal tools, often will be. Many construction sites have been reporting thefts for several years now. It has been suspected that the thefts are by Chinese immigrants who are shipping the metals back to China.

The entire story can be read here: AP Story (http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/07/05/ap3888209.html).

It is just sad that anyone would steal from a war memorial. Stealing is wrong anyway, but stealing from a war memorial is just wrong!

[Asshat]

Is the point of this thread to determine weather it is worse to steal from a welfare mom or a war memorial, or to illustrate that stealing metal for recycling has become a serious problem? I refer anyone debating the former to click here (http://www.japanupdate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=219) LMAO!

On Guam, the problem has got pretty bad- even stealing live power lines- but it's a small enough community that people are getting caught.

[dk]

I never even realized this was becoming a problem. Which is why the topic first interested me.

[TheNoNamedOne]

I never even realized this was becoming a problem. Which is why the topic first interested me.

Yes, when the house we live in was reformed last year, the construction workders told us about the increasing thefts at sites. And now near our house there is a new apartment being built and one of their guys stays there throughout the night sleeping in the bed of his truck. Usually, though, he is drunk.

[DoctorP]

On Guam, the problem has got pretty bad- even stealing live power lines- but it's a small enough community that people are getting caught.

This has happened in Okinawa also.

Actually TP, I am surprised that someone such as you, who holds all life dear, no matter the species, would be so cold to the dead.

[DoctorP]

Feel free to continue the offtopic discussion here! (http://www.japanupdate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387)...if anyone would like to continue discussion the theft in Guam, or any similar thefts in the area, feel free to continue in this thread!

[TheNoNamedOne]

Is the point of this thread to determine weather it is worse to steal from a welfare mom or a war memorial, or to illustrate that stealing metal for recycling has become a serious problem?

Both. The OP shows us so.

I refer anyone debating the former to click here (http://www.japanupdate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=219) LMAO!

I don't think the OP starter of this thread wants any debate to creep in. I think we are all to just agree that theft, while wrong, is just wrong when it is a war memorial.