Flowers stolen from the garden at the Penetanguishene cenotaph have caught the eye of the community.
The town put out press releases on social media showing large holes where out-of-season red begonias were dug up, adding that the theft was reported to the OPP and with a request for anyone with information to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
In the press release, it was written: “Theft is never acceptable, and taking from a cenotaph is particularly disrespectful.”
Within the hour, residents shared their thoughts. On Facebook, an offer was made by Penetanguishene Funeral Home manager David McDonald that the staff "would be happy to purchase any flowers needed to replace and beautify our local cenotaph."
“It’s not a very nice thing to happen,” McDonald told MidlandToday.
“Because we’re so heavily involved with the Royal Canadian Legion and every Remembrance Day – we’re there with our wreaths to lay there in honour of the veterans that have passed away – I thought it would be a nice tribute to give back to the veterans,” McDonald added.
Shortly after his comment was posted, the town responded to his kindness that they would be in contact with him.
“We’re always there for our community, there’s so many things that we do. Any time that something comes up in the community, we’re always there for everyone.”
Special attention was given by the town to the recreation and community services department and volunteers who chose the red begonias, whom the town praised for selecting and planting prior to the theft.
