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A proud Clifton tradition will take place this Sunday, June 11th from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM (or 16:00 in military time). The 13th Annual Knights of Columbus and Catholic Charities Tank Pull will be held at its usual location, 1100 Clifton Avenue, between Saint James Place and Olga B Terrace. It’s held to honor and support local Veterans.
If you’ve never attended a Tank Pull, it’s an impressive sight. Team members raise funds for the privilege of the team pulling an 80,000-pound tank mounted on a flatbed truck. It’s part strength and part strategy and it’s a wonderful way to make sure our Veterans get some help when needed.
Here’s how it works:
Teams consist of 20 members and pledge to raise a minimum of $1,500 per team, which breaks down to $75.00 per person. A team name is chosen, a captain is named, and they arrive ready to pull the tank and cheer on others. To keep it interesting, there are a few competitions. Each team has two opportunities to show off their strength and prowess, the first as a team effort (all 20 members) pulling the tank to the 12-foot mark in the shortest time. The second starts with just a few members pulling the tank either 12 feet or for two minutes, whichever comes first, with the lowest total combined body weight. Another prize is awarded to the team raising the most money.
Donations and volunteer hours are what make this such an amazing event. Organizer Tony Latona has been volunteering for the tank pull since the beginning and said that their operating expenses are minimal, that local businesses are glad to donate services and goods, and that sponsors help considerably with other costs. Information on sponsorships is available on the website.
To date, the event has raised over one million dollars for wounded warriors and veterans. The emphasis is on local veterans and families in need of assistance, no matter what the circumstances of need might be. Local recipients include (but are not limited to) the Clifton Veteran’s Association, Clifton Cares, Independence Corps for track chairs for military amputees and wounded, the NJSO Women Veterans Committee, and two $1,000 scholarships. The Sean Hughes Memorial Scholarship Awards go to graduating seniors from military families. This year, one scholarship is going to a student from PCTI and one to a student from DePaul High School. A more comprehensive list of recipients is on the Tank Pull website.
This year, 49 teams are scheduled to compete, including Clifton’s FMBA and PBA, the Knights of Columbus, the Passaic County Clerk's Office, and WAVE for women veterans. New contestants include Clifton P.R.A.I.S.E., the special needs baseball team previously profiled in the Clifton Times. The schedule of events is on the Tank Pull website.
For more information, please email info@ccpaterson.org. The Clifton Times will be covering the event and hopes to see you there. Nice weather is expected, it's a fun day out, and there will be resources for veterans, as well as food, drink, and family fun.
