Rocket at vets museum found to be live

[unhappycamper]

Rocket at vets museum found to be live
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jan 24, 2008 12:39:37 EST

CUMBERLAND, Md. A rocket on display for two years at veterans' museum was discovered to be live Wednesday and was removed safely, authorities said.

The Allegany County's Combined County Criminal Investigations unit and the State Fire Marshal's Office said the ordnance was on display at the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 172 on North Liberty Street. The ordnance was a 48-inch-by-2.75-inch Mark 1 Rocket similar to those used on helicopter gunships during the Vietnam War, Deputy State Fire Marshal Joseph Zurolo Jr. said.

The rocket was donated to the museum at the chapter building by a local Vietnam veteran about two years ago, he said.

On Wednesday, Allegany County law enforcers were notified that the rocket might be live. Bomb squad officers from the fire marshal's office and the FBI went to the museum, examined the rocket and found it was live. Technicians removed the rocket and rendered it safe.

Authorities are investigating how the local man came to possess the live ordnance.


Article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_oldrocket_080123/