A World War II-era tank in Monessen is being restored thanks to thousands of dollars in donations from businesses and residents in the tri-county area.
Exposure to the elements at Monessen City Park over the years had left the Army Sherman tank looking shabby, said Ron Chromulak, Air Force veteran and organizer of the fundraising effort. Workers from Regal Industries in Donora have cleared off multiple coats of paint to prepare it for a fresh coat.
“It’s now a work in progress, and, hopefully, it’ll be finishing within the next week or so,” Chromulak said.
The tank was installed at the park in June 1959 after being donated to the city by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1190 in Monessen. In the early and mid 1940s, there were 50,000 Sherman tanks produced, and they were the most commonly used American tank in World War II, according to The National WWII Museum.
It was the longest-operating tank in history with the last one being taken out of service in 2018, according to the U.S. Army.
Over the past six decades, volunteer projects have maintained Monessen’s tank, said Chromulak, commander of American Legion Post 28 and senior vice commander of the VFW. But this time, he wasn’t able to find anyone to take it on, so $16,500 was sought to pay a contractor for the repairs.
The goal was met, and exceeded, a couple weeks ago, he said. Donations still are being accepted, and any additional funds will go toward the Veterans War Memorial Trust, for which he is chairman, to help with memorial maintenance in perpetuity.
A corrosion control primer and top coat will be added to the tank, and official Army markings will be stenciled on. It might be re-dedicated on Veterans Day, Chromulak said.
“We wanted to make sure everything was done while the weather was good,” he said.
The project was an important one to him to show that the veterans who the tank represents are remembered and honored.
“I think it was a tribute to those people,” he said.
