Some 150 or so people invaded DeBary’s Memorial Park Feb. 17 for the dedication of the latest piece of military hardware now on display.

Four years after City Manager Carmen Rosamonda floated the idea of mounting a static display of a U.S. Army tank in the park, the idea became a reality with the city’s purchase and placement of a World War II-era M5 Stuart light tank. The tank, purchased from a private historic collection of military vehicles and weapons owned by WWII Armor, is supposed to pay tribute to those who have served or are now serving in the U.S. Army. Originally named “Buddy,” the tank was rechristened as “The Spirit of DeBary.”  

The city paid $100,000 for the M5 tank, which former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army Van Hipp described as “a leader and a champion on the battlefield.” Hipp, the guest speaker for the ceremonies, oversaw the 1990-91 mobilization and demobilization of the Army Reserve forces, including the National Guard, during and following Operation Desert Storm.