These memorials to local Diggers who served during World War II and beyond were a mark of respect and gratitude. They served as reminders to their service for the whole country.

Some time of the weekend, vandals went on a rampage, probably fuelled by alcohol or drugs or both and - more disturbingly - a malevolent, cowardly rage against the community within which they live. Their actions betray a reckless disregard for the dead we hope will not one day be directed at the living.

Mr Meehan, who has devoted much of life to championing the welfare of veterans, is like the rest of us lost for an explanation for such stupid, senseless vandalism.

The Veterans Affairs Minister has described the attack as "disgraceful" and vowed to have the headstones replaced or repaired at no cost to surviving family members.

He's also urged anyone with information to talk to the police.

We echo that call because, as well as the obvious affront to community standards, if unchecked the perpetrators are likely to do something similar - or worse - in the future.

Behaviour that goes unchecked has every chance of escalating to a level where it does even more harm. We can't help wondering if the vandals who daubed swastikas on headstones and a memorial gate in the same cemetery in 2016 were the same people who struck over the weekend.

The war graves vandalism isn't the only senseless and destructive behaviour we've seen in recent times.

The spate of deliberately lit fires in and around Nowra is equally inexplicable but the potential consequences could be so much worse.

This week, information from the public has led to the arrest and charging of an alleged arsonist who if found guilty faces a maximum 21-year stretch behind bars.

When public safety is threatened we all have a responsibility to share with police information that might lead to an arrest.

And as parents, we have a responsibility to know what our kids are up to and ensure they are not putting others and indeed themselves in harm's way.