Skateboarder causes outrage after he is filmed pulling tricks on a veterans memorial

A skateboarder has sparked outrage after a bystander filmed the moment he tried to leap between the granite walls of a veteran memorial site.

The anonymous skateboarder was caught on camera as he leapt over the walls of the National Veterans Memorial at Mt.Soledad, San Diego, California.

The now-deleted video, which was posted online by Bill Bender, from San Diego, showed the stuntman paying little regard to the faces of 5,000 veterans printed on the blocks at the site, reported CNN.

Instead he was filmed performing tricks across the top of them.

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The anonymous skateboarder was caught on camera as he leapt over the walls of the National Veterans Memorial at Mt.Soledad, San Diego, California

Neil O'Connell, president and CEO of Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, revealed the walls can be damaged by the atmosphere and need 'constant care by volunteers'.

Although the monument was not damaged by the skateboarder, Mr O'Connell warns against copy-cats. 

In a statement posted to social media he added: 'Come on, how disrespectful is it to ride skateboards over the tops and edges of this fine surface.' 

'I'm appalled at such disregard and carelessness.

One of the video's viewers, Don Hotz, told KGTV his father and uncle had plaques at the sight.

He added: 'I know what it's like to be a kid and a skater but this where frankly I draw the line. If you're listening guys, I would appreciate it if you would not do that kind of thing. That's disrespectful to men that spend their lives protecting what we have today.'

The memorial was built in 1952 to honor veterans living and dead, according to its website.   

A statement about the site read: 'The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial is considered one of the most unique veterans memorials in America. 

The memorial was built in 1952 to honor veterans living and dead, according to its website

'It is the only memorial that honors veterans, living or deceased, from the Revolutionary War to the current war on terrorism, with an image of the veteran.'

It has been closed since March as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and remains off-limits to visitors.

Mr O'Connor added: 'This activity severely damages this fine granite that surrounds the walls of our memorial. This is an unfortunate situation as the memorial has been closed since Mid March.

'We were in the middle of acquiring bids for full-time security presence to guard against these types of incidents. 

'We know that many citizens of San Diego and visitors to our beautiful city make it a point to visit the the mount Soledad national veterans memorial and the surrounding city parks. 

'We are looking forward to the day when we can open the memorial for all to visit and enjoy this most iconic and Patriotic beacon of freedom.' 

 San Diego Police Department are investigating the incident as an act of vandalism.