A beloved memorial dedicated to children who have passed away was defaced with green spray paint in downtown Fargo this week. The Angel of Hope statue, located in Island Park, was vandalized on Tuesday, November 11, with green paint covering portions of the monument, including an X marked over the word "Hope."
Sheryl Cvijanovich, secretary for Fargo's Angel of Hope organization, confirmed the vandalism after receiving an alert from a concerned parent who discovered the damage. The incident has deeply affected those connected to the memorial and the families it serves. "I think it was a combination of anger and sadness," Cvijanovich explained. "I think anyone who is affiliated with the Angel of Hope, their first thought was, how can anyone do that to a monument for dead children?"
The Angel of Hope memorial has served as a sacred gathering place for grieving families since its installation in Island Park in 2005. The memorial features hundreds of engraved bricks bearing the names of deceased children, providing a permanent place of remembrance for parents and families who have experienced the devastating loss of a child. For nearly two decades, the site has offered comfort and solace to countless families in the Fargo community.
Despite the shock and hurt caused by the vandalism, Cvijanovich and other members of the Angel of Hope organization have chosen to respond with compassion rather than anger. "There's anger and there's hurt, but I think there's more concern for the person who did it," she said. The organization believes the vandalism may have been committed by someone dealing with their own grief or trauma. "If it has something to do with a lost child or sibling, or their own child, or whatever, there are groups that can help," Cvijanovich added.
The Fargo Park District acted swiftly to restore the memorial, completely removing all traces of the graffiti just one day after the vandalism occurred. The quick response ensured that families visiting the memorial would not have to see the defacement during their moments of remembrance and reflection.
The Angel of Hope organization remains committed to its mission of supporting grieving families and will proceed with its planned activities. The annual candlelight memorial service is scheduled to take place at 7:00 PM on December 7, providing the community with a continued opportunity for remembrance, healing, and mutual support during the difficult journey of grief.
