The Declaration of Independence is more than a historic document—it is the foundation of the American experiment and a timeless reminder of the freedoms secured by our Founding Fathers.

There is always an appropriate time, place and manner to express political views. Defacing a public exhibit honoring the Declaration of Independence, especially as we celebrate 250 years of our nation's founding, is wrong and deserves to be taken seriously.

I commend Putnam County and our law enforcement agencies for their swift efforts to properly address and rectify the situation.