Swastika image painted on tree in park

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Stiglmeier Park in Cheektowaga was a busy place this weekend where many brought their children to play in the parks and others walked one of the many trails.

However, on the Cayuga Trail near the Como Park Road entrance, a swastika image was recently spray painted onto a tree right along the walking path.

The marking looks to have been painted over what appears to be a peace sign ironically enough.

Seeing the graffiti was especially troubling to John Branning, a retired Navy officer from Depew who served his country for more than 20 years.

Branning says, "My dad and the greatest generation fought World War II to stomp out fascism and Nazi-ism. It just infuriates me when people do that kind of thing. I don't know whether it was a political statement somebody made because of the election or whatever, I don't know and I don't care. Point is, it has no place."

Several other trees have also been vandalized along the same trail which bothers the Navy officer.

It's the hateful message this symbol has represented for generations that made him reach out to News 4 in hopes of never seeing it again here at the park.

"Now I'll defend anybody's right to expression and freedom of speech, but you don't inflict your personal bias and bigotry on anybody else. Probably the ignorant fool who did it whether it was a kid or whatever probably couldn't find Germany on a map with both hands. The reality is, it still has no place," said Branning.