Also speaking was Gale Siddall, manager of Graceland Cemetery, one of four hit by Russick between Nov. 23 and Dec. 7.

’I was upset when this happened, to see the flags broken and on the ground,’ she said. ’Veterans don’t get too much. To see someone do something like that is a very sad day.’

Attorney David Acker acknowledged his client had made mistakes.

’He was using drugs at the time and did not see the consequences of his actions,’ Acker said. ’He only saw a source of money.’

Acker said Russick was arrested Dec. 7 and sat in jail for seven months. Since his release July 7, Acker said, Russick has held a job, is making payments toward the restitution he owes and is working with the Lawrence County Drug and Alcohol program, where he is tested regularly for drug use.

’He is taking the right steps,’ Acker said. ’He is from a good family, a family with veterans in it. He recognizes what he’s done.’

Russick apologized to the community, the county’s veterans affairs department and the families of the veterans whose grave markers he had taken.

At Cox’s direction, Russick turned to the veterans in the room and repeated his apology.

’I apologize for my actions, for the lack of respect I showed you and your families and from the bottom of my heart I’m sorry,’ he said.

’Thank you,’ responded Lawrence County Veterans Affairs director Shirley Noga.

APOLOGIZING FOR SON

Russick’s father, Raymond, also apologized for his son’s actions, and pleaded with the judge not to impose further jail time.

’This was a serious, terrible crime he committed,’ Raymond Russick said, adding his son had not intended to deliberately hurt or show irreverence to the veterans and their families.

’He was a drug addict,’ Raymond Russick. ’All he saw was money to support his habit. That got him into trouble and he spent seven months in jail.’