Honoring our Armory and our Military

The 1958 M4 Sherman Tank sitting on the grounds of the Florida National Guard Armory in Live Oak has been repainted, thanks to local business owner, Charles Bean. -Photo by Charles Bean

By Tami Stevenson

Passers by may have noticed that the 1958 M4 Sherman Tank sitting on the grounds of the Florida National Guard Armory in Live Oak, has a new and brighter countenance. It was painted just before Memorial Day.

     Over the years, the tank has become an icon and great photo opportunity for visitors and the community. Many local adults can remember playing around it and families taking photos in front of it when they were kids, especially Little Charles Bean.

     His father, also named Charles, retired from the Live Oak National Guard Armory 30 years ago, and Little Charles remembers playing around the tank where his father worked when he was young.

     Bean said, “I played on that thing when I was a little kid, my kids played on it, my grandkids have played on it and it’s an honor to be able to paint it.”

     Charles Bean, owner of Charles Bean Painting LLC, finally got permission to clean and paint it, after three years of waiting for an answer from the National Guard Armory in St. Augustine.

     Absorbing all of the expenses himself, Bean took his two sons, Jack and Dallas Bean, who are part owners in his painting business, and went to work.

     In order to get the rust, mold and mildew off the surface of the tank, they sandblasted it, power washed it, applied primer, then finally painted it, along with the lettering and stars as the final touch. He and his crew finished it just before Memorial Day.

     Bean’s father said, “They did a good job. It really looks good and I’m glad it’s done.”

     Suwannee County Historian Eric Musgrove said he passes by there nearly everyday and is glad to see it repainted.

     “The M4 Sherman is a great piece of local history. It honors our National Guardsmen and those in the actual forces in WWII and beyond. It’s a great piece, having been repainted,” said Musgrove.

     The National Guard Armory is located at 1416 11th Street SW in Live Oak, next to the fairgrounds.

     Charles Bean Painting LLC has been serving the community for 35 years and can be reached at 386-209-7381.

Jack Bean applying red oxide primer for rust corrosion, donated by Sherwin-Williams Paint Store, Lake City. -Photo by Charles Bean

Newly painted 1958 M4 tank at the Florida National Guard Armory in Live Oak. -Photo by Charles Bean