EUGENE, Ore. – The theft of two metal war memorial plaques from Bethesda Lutheran Church in Eugene has left the local community devastated. The plaques, which honor World War II veterans and those who fought in the Korean War, were reported stolen on Wednesday from a memorial dedicated to those who served in the armed forces.
Pastor Tom Welch of Bethesda Lutheran Church has been busy fielding concerns from church members while also contacting local scrap metal recyclers in hopes of recovering the stolen items. The plaques were part of a larger memorial park created in 1948, initially dedicated to World War II veterans and Gold Star mothers who had lost their children in battle. Over the years, the memorial expanded, eventually including 266 veterans from both past and present wars.
The stolen plaques, which honored World War II veterans and some post-war and Korean War soldiers, are considered irreplaceable to the church and the families of the men and women who served. Pastor Welch explained the emotional impact of the theft on the congregation, emphasizing the memorial’s historical significance to the church, which has been part of the community for 125 years.
The theft has sparked outrage among both church members and the wider community. Some individuals have even offered cash rewards, no questions asked, for the return of the plaques. “You want to hold out hope that you can find this unique artwork,” Pastor Welch said. “You can find this one-of-a-kind, the original, and really heal that wound that just a lot of us feel.”
Among those deeply affected is Greg LaCoy, whose uncle, Junior Grade Lieutenant Rodney Clinton Jenson, is one of the four veterans listed with stars next to their names on the stolen plaques, indicating their deaths in battle. LaCoy, who was baptized and confirmed at the church, expressed his heartbreak at the theft. “The fact that someone would come in and vandalize something like this that means so much to not only the church, but the community and to veterans as a whole, just breaks my heart,” LaCoy said.
The stolen plaques were likely taken for scrap metal, and Pastor Welch believes crowbars were used to pry them from their foundations. While the church hopes to recover the original plaques, Pastor Welch noted that the names of the veterans are still documented, and efforts will be made to recreate a memorial as close to the original as possible if the plaques cannot be retrieved.
The loss of the plaques has left a palpable sense of grief within the community, with many expressing sadness over the disrespect shown to the veterans and their families. “This kind of a loss is more of the message than yes, it’s a priceless, unique memorial,” Pastor Welch said. “But we want our veterans to know how much we care, how much we respect them, and this kind of stuff really hurts.”
The Eugene Police Department has confirmed that they are investigating the theft, and security cameras in the area may have captured footage of the incident. As the investigation continues, community members are hopeful that the plaques will be returned, restoring a piece of history and honor to the church and those who fought for their country.
