YORKTOWN, Va. (AP) - Officials say a monument erected in 1881 marking the Revolutionary War victory at Yorktown has sustained significant damage from lightning strikes and may need repairs.
The National Park Service is in talks with a preservation group about repairing or replacing the figure called "Liberty" that tops Yorktown's Victory Monument.
PHOTOS: Revolutionary War monument has significant lightning damage
Superintendent Kym Hall with the Colonial National Historical Park says a damaged hand was removed from the figure about a year and a half ago. But Hall says it appears there is more damage than originally thought.
Park Ranger Linda Williams says the monument is resilient, just like the surrounding community.
"The monument is so important to this nation and to this community," Williams said. "We're going to do everything we can to prevent lightning from destroying it."
Hall says a maintenance expert will determine the best way to proceed with fixing "Liberty."
