On the eve of Memorial Day, members of a local American Legion post are reeling after one or more vandals damaged their century-old headquarters, a city landmark.

A vandal or vandals tore down an entrance handrail and a portion of the brick wall that supported it and left a large gash in the flagpole at the home of American Legion Post 83, located in the 3600 block of River Road, Eugene police said in a news release.

"It's just unbelievable and it's very sad," John Hampton, the post's commander, said Sunday morning.

The vandalism occurred between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. Saturday. Eugene police are investigating.

The incident occurred hours before the post held its chicken feed fundraiser to raise money for scholarships and to feed and clothe veterans in need, Hampton said. The vandalism didn't disrupt the fundraiser.

"We don't have a big bank account of any sort," he said.

Members of the post maintain and repair the headquarters with their "hands and sweat and sometimes blood even because we're not carpenters or anything," Hampton said. The headquarters, known as the Jamieson House and built in 1918, was listed as city landmark in 2000. The house has been the post's headquarters since 1977.

Hampton estimated the damage at $5,000. A GoFundMe account has been set up to raise money to pay the $1,000 insurance deductible.

The headquarters is equipped with security cameras, but the camera that was trained on the spot where the vandalism occurred was stolen a couple of years ago and not replaced, Hampton said.

The post has about 260 members.

Residents with any tips related to the vandalism are encouraged to call the police department at 541-682-5111.

Follow Christian Hill on Twitter @RGchill. Email christian.hill@registerguard.com.