Memorial removal angers Sun City residents

Opponents of a memorial that honored victims of Sept. 11 and U.S. service members got their wish when Sun City homeowner Chuck Carter took it down.

But that opposition has lit a fire under many other shocked residents who want the memorial back. A group of veterans and others supporting the memorial and Carter's right to construct it on his property organized near Del Webb Boulevard and White Mountain Road on Friday.

Motorists traveling along Del Webb honked and waved at the group of protesters who carried American flags, bright signs and wore patriotic garb. Many motorists stopped to express their agreement with the protest and offer encouragement.

Carole Leslie of Sun City was one such motorist. She said she missed the memorial and was outraged that the Sun City Homeowner's Association suggested that it be taken down to appease a couple of complaints.

"I think it's terrible that people complain about things like this," she said. "This wasn't in anyone's way. They should be proud of what our veterans did. If the people don't like it -- move."

The memorial on Carter's property featured four white crosses representing branches of the military as well as an American flag and a design created by Sun City resident Art Lucke, dedicated to victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Sun City resident Norma LaVoie was so "livid" after the memorial was taken down due to opposition that she organized the rally.

"This was just too much," she said. "(Carter) was not breaking any CC&R rules, he was not breaking any homeowner association rules."

LaVoie, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary Military Order of the Purple Heart, said complaints about the memorial are a "slap in the face" to all veterans.

"It was very tactfully done and we decided that something needed to be done to express our gratitude because of what he did with the monument honoring all the people who passed away," she said. "Our hope is number one to let him know that he does have support, number two that only two people complained... and we would love for him to put it back up."

Joseph LaVoie, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam and received a Purple Heart, said it saddened him that Carter was not able to express his beliefs.

"We fought for these rights," he said. "Don't take away the rights of this person to express himself. And he's expressing himself patriotically, he's not doing some crazy stuff."

"We got too many people who want America to fail. It hurts me," he added.

Vanessa Vuckovic and her sister Victoria, ages 10 and 12 respectively, joined their grandfather at the rally.

"Everybody should like America," she said. "If they don't like it, they can leave it."

Victoria agreed.

"If (Carter) wants to believe in that it's his choice," she said. "It's supporting our troops. That's America."

Norma LaVoie said she planned to attend the Sun City Homeowner's Association Meeting in May to express her support of the memorial. She may plan other rallies as well.

Chuck's wife Linda Carter said she was grateful for the support of the community. Her husband, who was on vacation and unavailable, may consider rebuilding the memorial, she said.

"We're absolutely delighted," she said of the community response to the memorial's removal. "(Chuck) is so pleased that people in Sun City have rallied."

"He may be considering (re-erecting the memorial) after all the support. There's a good chance he'll do something."