Sumter, SC (WLTX) -- Just days before a celebration honoring the original fighting Gamecock, General Thomas Sumter, criminals vandalized his memorial site.
"This park is dedicated to Thomas Sumter, who is the Gamecock, which the University of South Carolina took his nickname for their nickname. He's buried right here in Sumter County," said Ken Bell, Public Information Officer for the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.
Crews from the State Park Service worked Wednesday afternoon cleaning the memorial site of General Sumter, who is also the county's namesake.
"Someone, we think it was kids, because of what was drawn, drew graphic symbols," said Bell. "Nothing Satanic or anything, just spray painting for the fun of it it looks like."
Last Wednesday, a caretaker who arrived to mow the grass found three different spots with gold graffiti in the monument area.
"That vandalism in no way is going to be able to diminish the celebration we're going to have this Sunday," said Wilson Hall History Teacher, Tom O'Hare.
O'Hare is helping organize a free celebration this weekend at the park honoring General Sumter.
"Back in 1907 when this monument was dedicated, over 100 years ago, you had the Governor of South Carolina, the Governor of Virginia, a letter from Teddy Roosevelt and hundreds and thousands of people," said O'Hare. "It was a national event."
He says come Sunday, the park, which is tucked inside a neighborhood off Highway 261 (tucked off of Acton Road in a residential area of Dalzell), will be filled with curious minds eager to learn about a war hero on the very spot where he's buried.
Recent renovations by the Sumter Historical Society also prepared the park for the celebration. Visitors will learn about Sumter on the very spot, now fit for a legend.
"Next time they root for the Gamecocks, now they're gonna know the man who the Gamecock was," said O'Hare.
The vandals face up to a $1,000 fine and between 30 and 90 days in jail.
Call Crime Stoppers if you know any information at 1-888-Crime SC. You could get a cash reward.
For Sunday's Thomas Sumter Day Celebration, there will be 15-20 minute mini-tour guides given by local high school students who are currently being trained on the life and times of Thomas Sumter.
Due to limited parking, shuttle buses will bring guests in from two locations: The parking lots of Wilson Hall and Thomas Sumter Academy.
The buses will begin shuttles at 1 p.m. free of charge. The student tours begin at 2:30 p.m. Guests will be able to catch a bus as late as 3 p.m. to still get a student-led tour.
Visitors are also encouraged to bring lawn chairs.