CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio – A community in Ohio is raising money to replace the vandalized grave monument of a fallen soldier, according to the Pickaway County News Journal.
The monument was built in Circleville, Ohio to honor Army Spc. Gerald Jenkins, who was a combat engineer assigned to the 1st Brigade Special Troop Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell.
Jenkins was only 19 when he was killed in October of 2010 by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.
A criminal investigation is underway to determine who is responsible for the vandalism, which will cost an estimated $15,000 to repair.
Members of the 1st Iron Horse Buckeye Battalion of the USA Brotherhood of Tankers recently held a ceremony to temporarily cover the damaged stone.
Gerald’s father, Roger Jenkins, has opened an account in his name at a local bank to accept donations to repair the monument, and a GoFundMe account has already raised more than $6,800. He asks that those who wish to donate include their name so that he can engrave each one on the side of the new stone to show his appreciation.
Donations can also be sent to the following address:
P.O. Box 43
Tarlton, Ohio 43156
No charges have yet been filed in the case.