They're called "Gate Guards". They're retired pieces of military hardware which have been donated to a city or community as a memorial. Sadly, time and weather can accomplish what a relentless enemy often could not. Over time, they become tired and decrepit, a sad memorial to the courage they were meant to represent.

One such "Gate Guard" sits at the entrance to Bluefield, West Virginia's City Park. It is an M-41 "Walker Bulldog" light tank. This twenty-five ton war machine had the dubious honor of having arrived too late to have seen major action in the Korean Conflict, but being outdated by the United States' entry into Vietnam. Still, though its terms of service were short, it soldiered well and with honor in both conflicts, and continued on, in the service of the National Guard and many allied militaries well into the 1970's.

The tank, though able to defend itself from substantial small-to-medium arms fire in her time, slowly fell prey to the ravages of time- her once proud, deep green hull, now pale and faded, her national markings unintelligible. This is where USS Yeager came in.

Beginning in the spring of 1999, members of the Yeager assisted by their fellows in VTSFFC started work to restore the "Bulldog" back to her original glory, icluding the markings of a "Bulldog" which actually served in Korea or Vietnam. The tank was rededicated in late summer, 1999.

The members of USS Yeager share a deep respect of the brave individuals who have given their time, and often their lives toward the protection of our country. The Adopt-a-Tank program is our very small way of saying "Thank you".