Quantico's Iwo Jima memorial vandalized

[cupper]

From my local on-line newspaper:

Quantico's Iwo Jima memorial vandalized

http://www.insidenova.com/news/local/article_9947dc52-40c6-11e2-969e-001a4bcf6878.html

Police are trying to find those responsible for spray painting the Iwo Jima memorial at the front gate of Marine Corps Base Quantico.
Military officials say the vandalism, a bright pink paint line around about half of the memorial's base, happened Tuesday evening. Military police along with Prince William County police searched the area but did not find any suspects.
"Base officials are consulting with monument specialists in the National Capital Region on the best way to remove the paint without damaging the stone base upon which the monument sits," Marine officials said in a press release.
The vandalism remains under investigation.

Just a point of note, this is not the same iconic Iwo Jima Memorial found adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery.

 

[jollyjacktar]

I'm curious as to how the vandals were able to do this at the front gate of a Marine base?  I've always experienced US bases to be pretty heavily manned at the gates with lots of attentive eyes on things going on around.