Several members of the Richard I Bong American Legion Post 435 of Superior and the veterans historical center made their way south - down Highway 53 earlier this week - on a long-awaited road trip.
They brought along for this 150-mile adventure on Tuesday - a convoy of sorts - a couple of flatbeds, a semi truck and an impressive piece of hoisting equipment from Viant Crane Group LLC...
And, that was just the beginning...
By the time the masterminds of the heavy task ahead - Eual Moore and Julie Demgen - could finish their first cup of morning coffee at the site, hundreds of Facebook followers of the veterans historical center back home in Superior, were already intrigued about an illusive tale of a tiny, toy army tank that was in search of its "big brother..." - a hook to spark interest by the Bong's new museum director Hayes Scriven.
It was kind of like the story of the tiny engine that could - unfolding on social pages as the mini replica was instantly overshadowed by the reality of it all and the real deal - hoisted high into the air - a monumental 56-ton M60A3 army tank - one big brother of an oversize load indeed - which took only seven minutes to lift and mount for the next day's scheduled delivery.
"It was simply amazing," commented Julie Demgen, who along with Eual Moore watched in awe with others as the tank was prepared for its next destination - the new concrete pad outside the Richard I Bong Veterans Historical Center where it will stay along US 2, thanks to its trustees, guardians and biggest fans - the local legionaires of 435.
On Wednesday, crowds watched again in amazement as the tank before - a crowd of about 50 - was lifted up - about 10 feet above its track, by a crane towering 54 feet in the air and above the museum's rooftop. The crane which can lift up to 128,000 pounds - lifted the 102,000 pounds - 98,000 of which was the 12-foot wide, 23 foot long, 11-foot high tank and some 4,000 pounds worth of stuff including rigging equipment made of impressive nylon poly slings.
The tank swung a little as it was brought gently around but it was obvious this was just another day on the job for heavy equipment operator Adam Brown, who with co-workers Mike Crouse and Dan McConnell on the ground maneuvered with ease even cutting a minute off yesterday's load time to six minutes and it was up, over and gently let down to its parked position - smack in the center of the concrete pad to a roaring round of applause.
The tank which was introduced in 1960, used in post-Viet Nam then as late as Desert Storm before being fully phased out in 1997 was a domicile issue turned static display opportunity which was destined to happen for the City of Superior, the museum, its many veterans, residents and legion that embraced it immediately, thanks to Moore, the vice commander of 435 who with Commander Dennis Bee's leadership had encouragement and support from the members of VFW Post 1091.
He didn't let resistance, red tape, piles of papers and forms to complete - file and mail back in triplicate deter his mission, after all this guy who can track his family's service to country all the way back to the Civil War was not to be denied.
"There had been some leg work done a couple of years ago by some members of the Bong, but because the Army and the United States of America always maintain ownership, you have to have an arm of the military to secure and there are some hitches. You have to improve it, maintain it and at no cost to the government and we knew we could do it with the enthusiasm we had from the community of Superior," Moore, a former captain in the military explained as he noted that the project was able to garner the support of not only city residents and officials but Congressman Sean Duffy who wrote a letter on behalf of this one of 15,000 tanks ever made.
Once the nod was given by TACOM Donations Division for a Department of Defense approval was done, the prep work at home - here by Demgen, a longtime Bong supporter and board member who worked her magic as the city liaison. She got the support of former Mayor Bruce Hagen, new Mayor Jim Paine, himself a veteran and who next week will make a special announcement about the project.
Demgen said support came from a lot of directions, sources ranging from city council to city employees Rani Gill and Jason Serck to a full page list of community movers and shakers who will be honored and properly recognized next week.
Terry Lundberg, chair of the Bong's executive board, calls it "a major win for the center and the American Legion."
Hayes Scriven, the Bong's new director said he hopes people will see this tank outside and realize "that there is much more on the inside of our building..."
Scriven and Demgen said there will be activities open to the public on Flag Day - beginning at 10am, Wednesday, June 14 at the Bong when the tank will officially be unveiled and presented to the community by its proud Post of veterans.
There will be a short program with refreshments served.
Free admission to the museum will be granted to all military personnel.
