Veteran launches effort to restore WWII memorial

Ron Chromulak said the current condition of the Sherman tank reflects poorly on Monessen.

Monessen veterans are raising money to restore the World War II tank memorial in City Park, as the vehicle is showing signs of decades of deterioration.

Ron Chromulak, commander of American Legion Post 28 in Monessen, believes the decaying state of the memorial reflects poorly on the city, its residents and its veterans.

“It’s incumbent upon us to keep a memorial like that preserved in its proper shape so that it shows that we still have respect for the military, the veterans,” Chromulak said. “There’s people that come and look at the tank right now, and they say, geez, how could you let something get into such disrepair?”

Chromulak has received estimates for the tank’s restoration, and he’s calling upon Monessen residents and businesses to help raise $16,510 for the WWII memorial.

The Sherman tank, which was dedicated to the city by VFW Post 1190 on June 14, 1959, is nestled among a hillside full of trees located near the intersection of Willow Drive and City Park Road. The tank’s former olive green hue now appears grayish. Spots of rust and missing paint are prevalent on the vehicle’s exterior, along with along with marks of vandalism.

To restore the tank to its original appearance, its damage must be repaired and it must be painted the appropriate color.

“It has to have like a lot of the old paint, probably all the old paint, has to be taken off because there’s like layers and layers of old paint,” Chromulak said. “They have to put on some sort of base coat and then different top coats. And because it’s a military tank, it’s got to conform to military specifications.”

Therefore, not just any shade of olive green paint will do. Plus, the tank’s markings must be restored as well. Chromulak said Monessen veteran groups already have stencils for the tank’s serial number and stars that adorn its exterior.

Restoring the tank memorial means a great deal to Chromulak as a 21-year Air Force veteran and lifelong Monessen resident. Chromulak, 81, remembers climbing on the tank as a teenager after it was dedicated to the city.

“It used to have an engine in it; all of that’s been taken out,” he said. “All the stuff’s been welded so you can’t move it anymore. If you want to move it, you have to lift it up and put it on something.”

Mayor Ron Mozer called Chromulak’s project wonderful.

“If somebody wants to clean that up, paint it the right colors and make it look tip top, I’m all for it,” Mozer said. “That’s fantastic.”

Monessen council will vote to give the project a greenlight at its May 23 meeting.

“I don’t see anybody challenging it,” Mozer said. “Why would anybody challenge you to make something better and improve it at no cost?”

Chromulak said Sherwin Williams has offered to provide the paint for the project at no cost. He hopes businesses in Monessen, such as Alumisource, Cleveland- Cliffs and Farnham & Pfile, will make contributions to the memorial restoration effort.

“I just want to grab the bull by the horns; let’s get the money together and let’s do it,” Chromulak said.

Donations can be made out to American Legion Post 28 or VFW Post 1190 and noted “TANK” in the Memo line and sent to American Legion, P.O. Box 145, Monessen, PA 15062.

“It’s incumbent upon us to keep a memorial like that preserved in its proper shape so that it shows that we still have respect for the military, the veterans.”

RON CHROMULAK

AMERICAN LEGION POST 28 COMMANDER