An old Army tank has been the fixture on New Milford's green for more than 70 years - but if you visit it now, it looks new thanks to the generosity of people and businesses of this town.

They refurbished the World War II tank after veteran Paul Murphy put a plea out on Facebook. The tank was in bad shape - rusted through with peeling pain. Though the town wanted to restore it, the money wasn't in the budget.

"Paul put it on Facebook that they wanted to have the tank restored. I guess it wasn't in the town budget at the time so I jumped all over it," sats Howard Hammer, an autoshop owner.

He says he became the project manager and had no shortage of volunteers donating their skills and money.

It took 10 days of nonstop work, with the finished product being rededicated in a special ceremony.

"To have the townspeople, the businesses in this town, dedicate their time and their money to restoring this tank has been a phenomenal undertaking and a very well-appreciated undertaking by the veterans," says Jim Delancy, the New Milford VFW commander.

"We’ve had every child, father and grandfather on this tank or in the tank over the years," says Murphy.

It's a tradition that can continue with the next generation thanks to an outpouring of generosity.

"What it looks like now, it just, you know, it makes my heart happy," says Lisa Agee, a business owner.

Murphy says the project would've cost $35,000 if not for community members stepping up.