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COATESVILLE, Pa. (WTXF) - Someone chopped down a tree in front of a charity organization's building.
The tree was meant to honor the founder's late son who served veterans.
Joy Turner and her husband David are devastated.
"They not only broke the law but they broke our hearts," said Joy Turner.
They say someone went on to their Coatesville area yard, sliced and hauled away one of their trees.
"It's crushing cause it's more than just a tree. It's the meaning," said David Turner.
The Turners say they planted the Douglas Fir as a family with their son, David, an AFJ-ROTC member who died of natural causes at their house in December of 2009.
Joy always thought it would turn out differently, "We had thoughts of it someday growing big enough so we could bring it into our home and use it as a Christmas tree. The plan didn't quite play out like we dreamed."
"For somebody to steal this out of our yard and risk the possibility of ending up in prison or whatever, during the holidays instead of being with their family, it's pretty foolish," said David.
The Turners say their son had just started serving veterans at the Coatesville VA when he died, so they started a charity to continue his work.
Their garage is filled with holiday gifts for the vets.
It's their pledge to continue their giving ways even though someone took something so special from them.
"Just hope whoever took it is able to enjoy it and maybe have a couple children unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning, sitting next to our tree."