By Keith Gushard
COCHRANTON — Once again, the grave of Cpl. Timothy J. Lauer has been vandalized. This time two wreaths and a star placed at the site Saturday have been stolen.
It’s the second time within a week that the Cochranton Cemetery grave site of Cpl. Lauer, who was killed three years ago while serving in Iraq, has been disturbed by someone.
“They didn’t harm the headstone this time, but who knows what’s coming,” a shaken Jon Lauer said Monday afternoon in a telephone interview. He is Cpl. Lauer’s younger brother.
Last week on Veterans Day, the headstone on Cpl. Lauer’s grave was discovered covered with paint.
The two wreaths along with a star-shaped display saying “Proud to be an American” were placed at the grave Saturday around 11:30 a.m. by Valerie Lauer, Cpl. Lauer’s widow, Jon Lauer said.
The items apparently were taken sometime between 11:30 a.m. Saturday and mid-afternoon Sunday — that’s when Vince Lauer, Cpl. Lauer’s father, visited the grave. The elder Lauer didn’t see either the wreathes or star-shaped display there, however, he was unaware they had been placed at the grave, Jon said.
“Valerie came by and told us this (Monday) morning ‘It’s gone — everything’s gone’,” Jon said.
Mrs. Lauer was too shaken to speak with a reporter Monday.
“It just makes you sick to your stomach,” Jon said.
Last week, the headstone on Cpl. Lauer’s grave was discovered marred with white paint around 2:30 p.m. on Veteran’s Day by Lauer’s father. Relatives were able to remove the paint, but the discovery of the desecration devastated Lauer’s family.
Meanwhile, Ray Andel of West Mead Township, a U.S. Navy veteran, is offering a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest and prosecution in the case.
Cpl. Lauer died Oct. 14, 2006, in Baghdad, Iraq, while serving on a convoy resupply mission. He was a member of the U.S. Army’s Company C, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division based at Fort Hood, Texas.
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the incidents and the investigation continues.
Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.
