Spray Paint Found on Andrew Meari Memorial Park Sign

Photo: The sign for the Pfc. Andrew Meari Memorial Park is shown with spray paint over it. (Photo courtesy Project PATRIOTISM)

The sign for the Pfc. Andrew Meari Memorial Park was vandalized over the weekend, according to a Facebook post from the group Project PATRIOTISM.

The vandal spray painted over the sign and an information post. While what exactly was written on the sign is unclear, it appears the vandal included a Star of David. The graffiti has since been cleaned up.

Project Patriotism posted the photo to its Facebook page and said “I’m going to tell you right now, this sign has been cleaned up BUT you have NO IDEA what you’ve done. Whoever you are, you’ve crossed the wrong group of people.”

According to Joliet Deputy Chief of Operations Ed Gregory, a report was received at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17 for criminal defacement to property.

A witness stated she saw three teenagers huddled around the sign between 4:30 and 5 p.m. Sunday. According to the witness, each of them was holding a can of spray paint and a paint brush.

The witness described the vandals as being a 13-year-old black female with a medium build, cut-off jeans and a white shirt with polka dots, a 13-year-old Hispanic male with curly hair and a thin build and a 13-year-old female Caucasian with blonde hair and thin build.

The witness told police she’d be able to ID one of the vandals. The incident is currently under investigation.

A ceremony was held July 11 to officially rename the park, which was formerly known as Mayfair Park, according to the Plainfield Park District’s website. Andrew Meari lost his life Nov. 1, 2010 while serving in Afghanistan.

At a May 13 board meeting, Plainfield Park District commissioners unanimously voted to rename the park after hearing from Meari’s stepfather Jerry Meehan that Meari had played in the park as a child.

“As Commissioners, I believe we all feel that renaming Mayfair Park in honor of this young man who gave his life in service to our nation is a fitting tribute,” said Board President Mary Ludemann in a July press release. “As he enjoyed his neighborhood park, we hope residents both now and in years to come will look at his name and be reminded of his service and dedication.”

The Andrew Meari Memorial Park is located within the Mayfair subdivision at the northwest corner of Joe Adler Dr. and Ruth Fitzgerald Dr.