Morgantown Legion created a cardboard tank, competing in the 93.3 WMMR 10th annual Cardboard Classic at Big Bolder and Jack Frost on March 6.
“We didn’t win but we were in it for the fun,” said Rich Williams, Assistant Road Captain for Morgantown’s Legion Riders.
With a crowd of 10,000 fans cheering, cameras and cellphones flashing the mood was sheer joy juxtaposed with anxiety as the participants pulled their sleds to the starting line at the crest of the mountain. There were more than 240 entries in various categories including: a Viking boat, male & female Operation games, a very tall tricycle, along with local entries, Boyertown’s 17′ Harley Chopper, and Morgantown Legion Post 537’s 12′ high x7 1/2′ wide x16′ long military tank with Rich Williams dressed as WMMR gorilla mascot in the top of the tank. View entries at www.wmmr.com.
In early December, Williams was at the Legion with friends. “Hey, I have an idea for a fun thing for us to do this winter. Whose all in?” said Williams. Legion members were all up for the challenge.
Williams explained that for the WMMR Philly Radio 2015 Cardboard Classic at Big Boulder and Jack Frost, they would have to make a sled using only cardboard, string, tape, glue and paint. The large sled needed to be big enough and strong enough to ride a team down the ski slope.
Williams has an art background he studied at West Chester University and Philadelphia Art Institute and was already envisioning the ride. This would be a blast.
Legion members are used to big projects. This time it was for fun and the challenge of competition. There was also prize money at stake. All members were eligible to join the team.
The team came together quickly working from mid December to mid January, cutting cardboard, measuring, taping and more taping and gluing the tank together piece by piece. They spent many a cold wintry night in Williams’ garage where he also made templates for all the tank details .
He designed the sled, Martin’s Flooring donated the cardboard tubes, Canon USA donated the cardboard boxes and Bill Mattson donated the paint.
Sled helpers included Rich and Michele Williams, Sam and Kris Tkaczuk, Paul and Kathy Morrison, Don and Marcy Fronczac, Morgan Murphy, Mike Lightcap, Keith Romig, Joe Brenneke, Jim Ehling, John Gonsorick, Mary Scarborough, Pam LeViere, Hank Hartz, Chris Good, Candy Burkhart, and Robert Robb.
Sam and Kris Tkaczuk offered their barn when they realized the tank would not fit through the garage door. They had created a monster.
“Oh great, I finally have a place to park my truck,” said Michelle Williams. Once everything was moved to the barn and fully assembled they celebrated with a painting party.
A lifelong friend of the Williams, Sue Bateman drove overnight through ice, sleet, and snow from Delaware. She had prepared and donated spare ribs, roast beef and sides for a celebration pre-party for 30 at the Williams’ home Thursday night before the big day March 6.
At 4:30 a.m. the convoy started the 80 mile journey up to the Poconos, with the Monster Tank tightly mounted on a trailer. They had stickers on the tank and the last thing was the American Flag fixed to the front.
WMMR was broadcasting the event, a caller said on the radio, “Hey, I just passed a big tank on the turnpike on the way up, people were whooping and waving.”
The show had already begun, some of the stickers were flying off into the wind. Along the drive they saw other entries making their way. They arrived at 8:45 and registered.
Adrenalin was pumping as they pulled the tank up to the crest of the hill to wait their turn.
The sled riders Candy Burkhart, Don Fronczak, Morgan Murphy, Joe Brenneke, Jim Ehling, John Gonsorick, Hank Hartz, Keith Romig, and Paul Morrison piled on with Rich Williams in his gorilla suit beating his chest and sticking out the hatch with a video camera attached to him, he wasn’t going to miss this ride.
The chant started “USA, USA, USA” as the crew pushed the tank over the crest with the American flag waving. The crowd joined in as the tank picked up speed and the riders were smiling with triumph. The tank was pushing the snow like a plow.
‘USA, USA, USA’ louder, faster and then a grinding halt. The tank made it 3/4 of the way down the trail but the weight of the snow stopped it.
“Who Hoo,” Candy Burkhart was yelling at the finish.
The riders came tumbling and jumping out into the snow and the next thing was the long push to where Marasco Hauling was waiting with big trash trucks.
An audible gasp was heard from the crowd as they saw the tank being destroyed. All that hard work and now it would be nothing but crumbled cardboard, tape, and dirty snow.
But the Monster tank would not go that easily to its demise. It was strong.
“We’re going to need a back hoe, no chain saw is going to get through this,” a call went up from the Mascaro crew.
“It took four guys with chain saws, a back hoe and a trash truck to destroy it,” said Williams, “To me that was the most rewarding.”
“We didn’t win but we were in it for the fun. WMMR and other media interviewed us and played it on the radio. Later we learned the interviews got nationwide affiliate’s radio coverage.”
At the post they were greeted by chants of “Rich Williams.”
Post Commander Roger Jacobs said, “Congratulations to the team, you have made us proud with your comradeship and hard work.”
Linda Jacobs added, “You were amazing, everybody was a team player, it was a real fun event for all. Thank you to everyone. It is a proud moment for us.”
Then the congratulations came to life as the members held their drinks as Lee Greenwood sang out from the jukebox “God Bless The USA,” and they sang and stood up to:
“I’m proud to be an American where as least I know I’m free
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the USA.”
