MONESSEN, Pa. (KDKA) – Before the city’s M4 Sherman tank came to Monessen, it likely roamed the battlefields of Europe and Asia, helping the U.S. in both World War II and the Korean War.

Since 1959, the tank’s sole purpose was to stand guard at Monessen City Park, and after more than 60 years of standing guard on the park’s hill, the tank began to show its age: the paint was fading and peeling, and rust and wear were also visible.

That’s when retired Air Force veteran Ron Chromulak of Monessen jumped into actionsent emails to local businesses and groups asking for money to restore the city’s icon. The response, he says, was incredible.

“Alumicore in Monessen, owned by Gabe and Gloria Hudock, donated $10,000,” Chromulak said. “My graduating class donated $5,000 from our reunion fund.”

But that wasn’t all. Donations continued to pour in and on July 30, the goal of $17,000 was reached.

Chromulak then enlisted the help of Regal Industrial Corporation in Donora, whose team spent several days stripping the paint from the vehicle and then applying a primer, topcoat and official U.S. Army stencils to make the Sherman tank look like it had just come off the assembly line at the Chrysler plant in Michigan where it was built.

“There haven’t been many opportunities like this where we’ve been able to give back to the community,” said Joshua Seelye, a site project manager with Regal Industrial Corp. “They went above and beyond our expectations for us and even for our employees. It’s really nice to see that and see how proud they were of it. They put a lot of effort into making it look as good as it does, and I think it turned out really well.”

Chromulak says the tank’s restoration is mostly complete for now, but he also says there’s still some work to be done around the plaza, such as adding lighting and signage.

“I hope people will remember that this tank is here,” Chromulak said. “They will remember the reason it is here. They will come to see it. They will bring people to see it, especially their children.”

He also says they are still accepting donations to maintain this and all of Monessen’s other war memorials. Anyone who would like to contribute can make a donation in the form of a check made out to American Legion Post 28 with the word “TANK” in the subject line. You can then mail the check to American Legion, PO Box 145, Monessen, PA 15062.