Veterans storm WWII memorial closed because of the shutdown

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Veterans flooded the World War II memorial in Washington Tuesday, storming the site that closed as part of the federal government shutdown.

No attempt was being made to stop the visitors and park police were letting people in, Stars and Stripes reporter Leo Shane III posted in a running account of events at the memorial.

"We're seeking guidance on how to respond," Park Police officials said.

"So, the WWII memorial is open today ... Park police letting everyone by right now. #shutdown," Shane posted.

Shane also said he wanted to give proper credit to politicians who also showed up at the memorial.

"I watched Rep Steve King [R-Iowa] distract a park police officer while vets and staffers knocked down the fences here. #shutdown," Shane posted.

One member of a group of veterans from Mississippi said their congressman, Republican Rep. Steven Palazzo "opened the barricade" and allowed a group of 91 veterans to storm the closed World War II Memorial, Talking Points Memo reported.

Jen Walton, secretary of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight, which was scheduled to visit the memorial Tuesday morning, told TPM the group didn't necessarily plan to try to visit the memorial if it were closed.

"We didn't have a definite plan, so we knew we were going to come here and just see what was going on and if we were going to be able to go in," Walton said in a phone interview.

"Pretty much Palazzo just opened the barricade and we followed him in," Walton said.