VFW Post 8300 Tank Restoration Fund — Progress Report
When we launched the Tank Restoration Fund, our goal was simple yet profound: to rescue and preserve a living piece of American military heritage. Today, we are thrilled to share some incredible milestones as our 1942 M4A1 Sherman Tank approaches the finish line just in time for our 80th Anniversary dedication on December 12, 2026!
What We’ve Accomplished
- Moved & Set in Place: The Sherman has officially been maneuvered and permanently positioned on its dedicated memorial pad on the Post grounds.
- Sandblasting & Surface Prep: Decades of weathering and rust have been stripped away down to bare steel.
- Authentic Historical Paint: The tank has received a fresh, historically accurate coat of paint, restoring its WWII-era profile.
Current Work in Progress
- Landscaping & Memorial Pavers: Crews are actively installing surrounding landscaping and laying commemorative brick pavers to create a reverent, welcoming memorial plaza around the tank.
What’s Ahead (The Finishing Touches)
- Custom Memorial Plaque: A permanent bronze plaque detailing the Sherman’s history, service, and dedication to our nation’s veterans will be installed at the site.
- New Community Flag Drop Mailbox: We are adding a dedicated, weatherproof flag retirement drop box next to the memorial so community members can respectfully deposit worn American flags for proper ceremonial retirement.
A Sincere Thank You to Our Partners
This monumental effort would not have been possible without the generosity, heavy equipment, and expertise of our outstanding local partners and vendors. A heartfelt salute and special thanks to:
- Golden Touch Sandblasting — for their meticulous surface prep and care of historic armor plate.
- Ralph Letteri Excavating — for the heavy lifting, site grading, and equipment work needed to place a 30-ton piece of history.
- Dennis Oliver’s Architecture Firm — for providing the site layout, vision, and structural planning for the memorial plaza.
- AMVETS Post 889 — for their unwavering fraternal support, partnership, and shared commitment to honoring our veterans.
How You Can Help Us Finish Strong
While the tank is standing proud, our work isn’t done. We are continuing our fundraising campaign to cover the remaining costs of the pavers, custom bronze plaque, flag drop box, and future Post memorial preservation endeavors.
Every dollar directly honors those who served.
(or stop by the Post to contribute in person!)
Thank you for your ongoing generosity and support. We can’t wait to celebrate the grand reveal and dedication with everyone on Saturday, December 12 at 1:00 PM!