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Group Aims To Repair D.C.'s Black Civil War Memorial

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The group that built the African Civil War Memorial in Washington is now raising funds to repair it after the memorial was damaged by gunfire.

Two names inscribed in the memorial were damaged in a Dec. 26 shooting. The damage was minor, but organizers want to repair it along with damage from skateboarders.

Organizers announced an effort Friday to raise at least $575,000 to make repairs, restore the grounds and replace the monument's lighting. The gunfire damage is estimated at $125,000.

The African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation raised money to build the memorial on U Street. It was turned over to the National Park Service in 2003. The monument honors 209,145 black soldiers and their white officers who joined the Union in the Civil War.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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