We observe Veteran’s day this month and what a fitting time for the stolen Mojave Cross to be recovered and returned to its rightful place in the Mojave Desert. The Mojave Cross was erected on Sunrise Rock in the Mojave Desert in the 1930s to honor fallen soldiers of World War I, long before the area became part of Mojave National Preserve in 1994. The cross became a controversy when the National Park Service was sued for display of a religious symbol on federal property in 2001 and was subsequently stolen two years ago. See my previous blog entry about the theft and the large reward offer for catching the thief.
I am happy to report that the cross was found this month 400 miles away in San Mateo County. No one is sure how it got there but many suspect the thief had a guilty conscience or maybe was fearful of being turned in for the $125,000 reward. Either way, the cross was returned to Sunrise Rock in time for this years Veterans Day observance and will hopefully stay there through an arrangement between the California VFW and the National Park Service. Kudos to the VFW for restoring the cross along with the hope and promises it represents.
More information along with a short news segment can be viewed here.
I thank veterans everywhere for our freedom and your service to this great country. Without your sacrifice I doubt the free spirit of RVing would exist or my opportunity to experience the adventures in RVing it provides.
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