Stolen Bronze Stars To Be Replaced At Smithville Veterans Memorial

Six bronze stars stolen from a Smithville veterans memorial monument will soon be replaced thanks to a fundraising effort.

Joyce Poss said she began collecting money to replace the stars last week and her effort to raise $1,500 has already started paying off. Joyce said she’s already raised over $900.

“We’ve got a lot of good folks and a lot of good people associated with the VFW,” Poss said. “That’s one of the reasons I got this started, because my dad was a VFW member.”

The stars stolen last fall by an unknown person. Police have not yet made an arrest in the case.

“It’s just not right for people to take away what the soldiers have earned and their families have earned,” Poss said. “It’s the least we can do for the fallen soldiers and their families.”

The six-sided memorial sits at the Green Brook Park and pays tribute to DeKalb County residents who lost their lives during the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Iraqi Freedom.

Poss said some security measures will be added to the monument before the city begins replacing the stars.