Response to hateful graffiti reminds soldier some people do care
EVANSTON, Wyo. (Christian Examiner) -- Just hours after U.S. Army (Reserves) Private First Class Cassie McEuen celebrated Armed Forced Day last week, she was shocked to discover she was the target of hateful and vulgar, anti-military graffiti outside of her home.
The young, single mom and soldier, according to a local news report, had met up with other military men and women to celebrate the holiday, and then returned home to play her guitar and unwind when her dog began to bark inside her apartment.
Undaunted, she went out to investigate. What she saw was shocking.
"F*** the military," "Home of a soilder [sic],""FU die for what?" and "F*** the military," were spray painted in black across the windows, bricks and door of the front of her home.
McCuen reportedly first took to Facebook to sort out her feelings.
"I've been attacked and the vandal can't spell," McEuen posted on Facebook. "Apparently I'm a soilder instead of a soldier."
The soldier contacted her local law enforcement office and posted some photos on Facebook to let others know what happened and to help the police identify the lawbreakers.
The post caused an outcry in the community, according to the Uinta County Herald.
"Nobody deserves this, least of all someone who serves their country," Lisa Todd posted in response, according to the paper.
Community members and business showed their support by collecting cleaning supplies – and within an hour a group of 100 from 307 Long Range showed up at the soldier's home to begin erasing the hateful messages.
"This is exactly what I like about this community, what I like about this town," said McEuen, who apparently served as a logistical specialist for the U.S. Army Reserve. "Having everybody get together and help people like us – this is great."
Individuals afterward stepped up to provide resources to assist McEuen in paying for school and bills, but she has reportedly declined and instead indicated any donations collected on her behalf – after raising $1,000 for a reward to find the vandal -- will go to Grace After Fire, an organization dedicated to helping women veterans help themselves.
After the fanfare died down, McEuen told local media she was simply tired.
"I've missed [calls from] the mayor; I've missed so many people," she mused. "It's so funny that my first post was to question whether I should even call on it. It makes you realize that (Army) uniform, and what it really means to people."