Bronze shoes stolen from New Mexico war veterans memorial

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Thieves stole five pairs of bronze shoes from the War on Terror Memorial in Albuquerque, New Mexico, last week, officials said.

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According to James Lehner, vice president for the New Mexico Veterans Memorial Foundation, the shoes are worth thousands of dollars and were taken last week, KRQE reported.

"Some unknown persons came and stole the bronze shoes" for each branch of the military, Lehner told KOB-TV. "I think that it's a crying shame. It's very sad that someone would desecrate this memorial honoring those that have served."

Lehner said it is not the first time there has been vandalism at Memorial Park, a 25-acre facility.

"They took the M16 and helmet that was at the Vietnam memorial," Lehner told KOB. "If they do find an opportunity to be able to sell these, then they may come back because all these statues, you'll see if you walk around, are bronze."

Cox Media Group