San Jose Police Recover Stolen Vietnamese Memorial Statue

San Jose police have recovered a large bronze statue known as 'Thank You America,' which was stolen from the Vietnamese Heritage Garden over the weekend. The statue, weighing 1,500 pounds, represents a South Vietnamese soldier and an American soldier standing side by side. It was part of a half-million-dollar memorial honoring veterans from both nations.

The theft included the statue, flags, and an urn, with evidence suggesting the statue was dragged away from its platform. City Councilmember Bien Doan stated that the statue was found at a homeless encampment near Center and Story Road. Community members expressed their anger and sadness over the incident, emphasizing the statue's significance to the 140,000 Vietnamese Americans living in San Jose.

Police have not made any arrests or confirmed the exact timing of the theft, but the statue was intact during a recent commemoration event for the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day. Doan noted that while the police did well in recovering the statue, efforts are now focused on restoring it, with hopes to have it back in place by the 4th of July to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.