When I saw "Sculpture ruined" July 25, it pitched me into an avalanche of emotion. I had scheduled to take my children's church class to "Rising Eagle" for a lesson. The sculpture perfectly lends itself to a delightful, informal, outdoor classroom. Kids climb all over it, freely settling wherever they choose, yet remaining enclosed in comfortable proximity to a podium.

The most probable scenario for the destruction seemed to me youthful vandals. My initial reaction was, "I want them found! I want their parents to pay. And I want their parents to take it out of their hides."

After letting my raw anger run its course, I progressed to the sadness of what we lost. This was an act of blatant disrespect for community and the people who gave their time and substance to bring "Rising Eagle" to reality.

From the designer and architect to the planners and builders, everyone involved gained a sense of satisfaction, purpose and self-respect while motivated solely by a desire to share. Let me address those people. No one gave you those enviable attributes, and no one can take them if you won't let them go. Hold your heads high and know that what you gave is given still.

Let me address righting this wrong. I want it back. $16,000 is doable for a community this size. I would like to appeal to our community organizations to spearhead an effort to accept donations and oversee rebuilding "Rising Eagle." I have a check ready for the mail.

Lastly, I'm pretty sure there is a group of young people out there who need our help. Experience tells us anyone capable of criminal destruction lives with a self-image devoid of a sense of worth. Given the right set of circumstances, they could have been in a group putting their hand to a project that resulted in satisfaction, purpose and self-respect. They still can. Designer David Black Cloud chose the circular symbol to carry the message that "all people are welcome here." In the true spirit of building community, that message does not alter in the face of adversity. I still hope they are found out, because they need that. Then I hope we can employ Lincoln's wisdom toward them and "let 'em up easy." They need guidance to realize better choices are available and someone to care enough to give them some time. They do not need our condemnation.

I'll bet one on one, I'd like every one of them.