Resident seeks owner of war medallion

By Geri Corey
GOSHEN — One day a month ago Daniel Aneiros went to the mailbox at the side of the road where he helps at Skyler Farms, on Pumpkin Swamp Road. Looking down, he spied a Spanish-American War medallion lying on the ground.

Since then, he has been trying to find the owner, or someone who knows where it belongs.

Aneiros believes it was stolen from a gravesite. Evidence on the medallion suggests it was pried off a grave marker or monument. He said it was “a disgrace” and unpatriotic to steal from someone’s grave.

Detective Ryan Rich of the Village of Goshen Police Department said his department hasn’t received reports of cemetery mischief recently. The local cemeteries Aneiros notified agreed there hasn’t been any evidence of tampering with graves or monuments.

Aneiros thinks the medallion might have fallen off a passing truck carrying stuff collected from other areas. With no name, unique markings or numbers to go by, Aneiros is left wondering.

“I want to get this out there,” he said, holding the large brass medallion. “I want as many people to hear about this as possible. Then I know I tried my best.”

The Spanish-American War, 1898-1902, was fought in the Philippine Islands and in Cuba. The issue was the liberation of Cuba. In the Treaty of Paris, signed Dec. 10, 1898, Spain granted Cuba its freedom and ceded Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines to the United States. The United States, in turn, paid Spain $20 million for public property in the Philippine Islands.

Anyone knowing about the commemorative medallion now in Aneiros’ keeping is asked to call Detective Rich at 294-7988.