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“At the end of the day, I think there does need to be some recognition that this is a different type of vandalism,” Richards said, calling the “cowardly” act a “desecration.”

Under the Criminal Code of Canada, anyone found to have vandalized a war memorial is subject to a minimum $1,000 fine for their first offence, at least 14 days jail time for a second offence and imprisonment for not less than 30 days for each subsequent offence.

In the petition, Richards said the current penalties for defacing a war memorial “lack the severity” to discourage would-be vandals from defacing memorials.

Photo by Dawn Smith / Dawn Smith/Airdrie Echo

Mounties in Airdrie said the LAV III was vandalized overnight of March 21. They said an unknown number of suspects also spray-painted two signs and an electrical box at the Nose Creek Valley Museum where the LAV resides.

Angela Pitt, seeking re-election in the new Airdrie-East riding, said constituents were “shocked” and “saddened” by the vandalism. She said the graffiti is a reminder there is still more work to be done when it comes to “education and making sure that our younger generations are aware of what has been sacrificed for their freedoms.”

“Change the politics,” Pitt said. “Don’t hate the people that went (to Afghanistan) if that’s the issue, because it wasn’t necessarily their choice. They were just doing the right thing by the country which they serve.”

The petition only had about 100 signatures as of Sunday evening, but Brown said he’s been “overwhelmed with the support from the community” and is confident the issue will resonate with Canadians.

You can view and sign the petition online by visiting www.ourcommons.ca/en.

Mounties in Airdrie are asking anyone with information about the graffiti to contact the detachment by calling 403-945-7200. You can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

RRumbolt@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @RCRumbolt