'Cowardly act': Afghanistan war monument vandalized in Fort McMurray

The defacing of a light armoured vehicle that commemorates the 162 Canadians killed in Afghanistan is "a cowardly act," saysthe president of the Fort McMurrayLegion.

"It's someone trying to get attention for whatever reason," saidPatDuggan. "If they have an issue with the legion by all means, they can take it up with us."

Between midnight and 4.40 a.m., white paint was splashed on the LAV III.

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Bosnian veteran and legion service officerRyan Pitchers called the vandalism "a desecration of a grave."

"We put up memorials. We have cenotaphs. We have different monuments ... to recognize the service or to recognize the sacrifice that someone has done and that is exactly what this unit is.

"It is a representation of the loss of life."

Canadians served in Afghanistan from 2001-2014 after the 9/11terror attacks in the United States.

Over 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces served in theinternational coalition to defeatal-Qaedaand the Taliban.

The Fort McMurrayLegiondedicated the LAV III monument in October2017.

The 16-tonne vehicle wasconstructed from previously usedparts which have been decommissioned.

Most of the paint has since been removed and theincident was reportedto police.

Connect with David Thurton, CBC'sFort McMurraycorrespondent, onFacebook,Twitter,LinkedInor email him atdavid.thurton@cbc.ca