'SpongeBob' Gravestone Of Iraq Vet Killed In Colorado Rejected

CINCINNATI (AP) - Officials at a cemetery that removed a slain Iraq war veteran's towering SpongeBob SquarePants headstone say the woman's family is considering alternate solutions.

The two sides met Tuesday, and cemetery President Gary Freytag says Kimberly Walker's family members reiterated their desire to restore the headstone but are considering other options.

Freytag says that could include a more traditional headstone bearing the cartoon character's likeness. He says the massive headstone featuring a smiling SpongeBob in an Army uniform will not be reinstalled.

Walker's family says they spent $13,000 on the headstone and got copyright and cemetery approval for what they call the only fitting tribute for the huge SpongeBob fan.

Freytag says the employee who originally approved the headstone made a mistake.

Walker was killed in Colorado earlier this year.

By AMANDA LEE MYERS, Associated Press

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