Part of the damaged veteran's memorial outside of the Jones County Courthouse.

A flag pole damaged at the veteran’s memorial outside of the Jones County Courthouse.

A veteran’s memorial was destroyed this week in eastern Iowa. Jones County Auditor Janine Sulzner told KCRG-TV that she discovered the damage early Tuesday morning.

“I was just very disappointed and angry that someone would do that,” Sulzner said.

The memorial, located outside the Jones County Courthouse in Anamosa, involves 10 flags that hang on poles around a war memorial. One local veteran, Bill Goodman, drove to the courthouse to look at the damage after he heard what had happened. “It appears the ropes were cut and all of the flags were stolen. One of the poles is damaged,” Goodman said.

Three local veterans groups worked together to install the memorial in 2001 as a way to honor Jones County veterans who lost their lives in the line of duty. “It’s just a slap in the face and really undeserved,” Goodman told KCRG. “I’m just sorry to see this.”

The three organizations are already coordinating to replace what was stolen and broken. The damage is estimated at $1,000. Deputies from the Jones County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident.

Story and photo by Sarah McCarthy, KCRG-TV