COEUR d'ALENE - Criminals have struck the local veterans community again.

Nine bronze vases valued at $235 each were reported stolen from the Veterans Wall of Honor at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens.

A groundskeeper reported the theft to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday afternoon and told a deputy that he believes the vases were taken in the past two weeks.

The vases, which are not fastened to the structure, were taken from the west side of the stone wall at the cemetery's entrance on Government Way.

"My heart is broken," said Ginger Brandenburg, office manager of the cemetery, adding that the wall features more than veterans. "I can't believe that someone would do that. I feel really bad. Families have paid for them."

The cemetery has signs posted that it is not responsible for stolen items.

Brandenburg said it's the largest theft at the cemetery that she can recall.

"On occasion, we'll have a missing vase, but not to this magnitude," she said.

Brandenburg said she suspects someone in the area of the cemetery took them, thinking they could cash in on the metal.

Dusty Rhoads, a member of multiple local veterans groups, calls the incident "very upsetting."

"It's totally uncalled for," he said. "Someone has no respect for what veterans have done for the country. It would be nice if they brought (the vases) back."

Those with information are urged to contact the sheriff's department at 446-1300.

Vandals last month tagged the M60 tank and personnel carrier with graffiti at the American Legion in Post Falls. The war memorials have since been re-painted by two veterans. No suspects have been identified and the reward in that case is $2,500.

Those with information on the Legion case call Post Falls Police at 773-3517 or leave a tip at www.postfallspolice.com.