Damaged headstone at Millersburg Cemetery.
Authorities in the small, eastern Iowa town of Millersburg are trying to determine who damaged 36 headstones in the local cemetery last weekend.
Mick Dietze discovered the vandalism as he went to visit his dad’s grave on Father’s Day.
“I just still can’t comprehend why anyone would do such a thing,” Dietze said. Many of the headstones were knocked over, while others were broken or moved.
Dietze’s father, who died in 1979, was a World War II veteran. The vandals took solar lights and an American flag that Dietze kept on his father’s grave for 33 years.
Christin Rodgers stopped by the cemetery and found her great uncle’s headstone was knocked over. “It’s sad, because he’s related to us,” Rodgers said. “I never met him, he died before I was born, but it’s really sad.”
Iowa County Sheriff Robert Rotter said he suspects kids may have been involved. Dietze believes someone will eventually come forward and charges will be filed.
“Small town people…we’re a tight knit group,” Dietze said. “We know most of the people that are out here (at the cemetery).” Millersburg has a population of roughly 200 residents.
By Mark Carlson, KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids Photos courtesy of the Iowa County Sheriff’s office.