Then Clayton Hollister, commander of American Legion Post No. 1 in Omaha, put the scene in perspective.

"This memorial represents men and women who fought for our freedom, but whoever spray painted those . . . markings is abusing that freedom," said Hollister, a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam era.

Hollister said the group of veterans visited the downtown park after hearing that a memorial marker saluting airborne troops had been tagged with graffiti. Their visit comes just as the city aims to toughen penalties for graffiti violations.

The Omaha City Council on Tuesday will vote on an ordinance that would lengthen hours of community service and jail time and increase fines to businesses that sell spray paint to those younger than 18 without consent of a parent or guardian.

It was outrage, not policy, that drew the veterans on Sunday to this target of graffiti.

"We want let the public know that veterans do care about these memorials," Hollister said. "It's probably just some stupid kid with a $2.69 can of spray paint, but they need to learn some respect. They need to know that these people deserve to be honored."

Bob Swanson, another post member, said veterans would be watching closely to see how long it takes to remove the graffiti.

"We hope our presence here today makes the public more vigilant about our veterans memorials," Swanson said. "If you see something suspicious, report it."

Hollister said American Legion Post No. 1 has suggested that the city install cameras and increase lighting near memorials to discourage vandals.

"If someone from the public were to see these guys in the act with a camera phone that might be all it takes for the police to catch them," Hollister said. "We definitely want (vandals) to know that veterans all over this city are going to make it a point to keep an eye on these monuments, so (they should) go find something else to tag."

Rich Westland, who led the group in prayer, asked for the memorial to be blessed as well as the people who defaced it.

"We know they are troubled and in need of help if they are going to do something like this," Westland said. "I don't know why they did it, but we can pray they won't do it again."

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