Overview
- Police located and recovered part of the bronze 'Thank You, America' monument after it was taken from the Vietnamese Heritage Community Garden, and the department says the investigation remains active.
- Officers first responded to a report of the missing statue from the garden and have not released suspect information or announced any arrests.
- Reporting and city officials say thieves ripped the South Vietnamese bronze soldier from its platform, a heavy piece described at about 1,500 pounds that is part of an installation reported to cost roughly half a million dollars.
- City leaders and community members reacted with outrage and sadness and now face decisions about assessing damage, securing funding, and a hoped‑for restoration timeline that some have suggested could aim for early July.
- The monument was installed in 2024 to honor Vietnamese‑American gratitude toward U.S. assistance and its recovery highlights the cultural importance of the site to San Jose’s large Vietnamese community.