Bill Schulte says lights that days ago shone brightly on the Columbia Falls Area Veterans Wall were meant to ensure that the names of those who served America “were never left in the dark.”

Due to the work of vandals, the black granite monument emblazoned with the names of more than 100 former armed service members is now without illumination.

Two lights — valued at $295 each — were destroyed about two weeks ago, according to Columbia Falls Police Chief Dave Perry.

 Schulte said the act is even more egregious considering the patriotic fervor that followed the killing of Osama bin Laden on Sunday.

“It’s unbelievable that something like this could happen with no regard to the history, to America and to all Americans,” Schulte said Wednesday.

One light had been pointed toward an American flag and the other was directed at the wall.

“It looks like somebody took a baseball bat to them,” Schulte said.

The wall was dedicated during a Memorial Day celebration in 2005 in Marantette Park. Schulte, a Vietnam veteran, was the commander of VFW Post 5650 at the time. He paid for the lights and helped build the monument.

The wall now is maintained by the Columbia Falls American Legion. Schulte said he hopes someone with knowledge of the crime will come forward so the vandals can be brought to justice.

“That’s honored ground,” he said. “And those are honored names on the wall.”

Schulte also hopes donors will help foot the bill for replacing the lights. Local American Legion members meet at the Eagles Club on at 1640 Ninth St. W. in Columbia Falls on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Columbia Falls Police Chief Dave Perry said anyone with information on the incident can call Crimestoppers at 752-8477.

Reporter Eric Schwartz may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at eschwartz@dailyinterlake.com.