Chilliwack residents interested in the area's military history and those who have followed the story of Caroline the tank may wonder what happened to her recently.

The fate of the 1947 Sherman M4 tank was up in the air four years ago when the Department of National Defence (DND) considered moving it to Kelowna.

Caroline-named by veteran tank driver and instructor Rollie Keith for his daughter-moved first from its display site at the Vedder Cenotaph to the Canadian Military Education Centre (CMEC). Now it's moved again.

Last year the tank, commanded by Keith, was included in the Chilliwack Remembrance Day ceremonies.

After local opposition to the move of the tank in 2008, the Canadian Forces said the plan for Caroline was to put it on display with the 39 Combat Engineer Regiment (39 CER), a new engineer unit based here in Chilliwack.

Two months ago, Keith said the army came and took Caroline back from the CMEC and to the Army Support Unit (ASU).

"They have to go through a controlled goods demilitarization of it," he told the Times. "That's a process that will be ongoing for a month or so."

As reported previously in the Times, the ASU is scheduled to close. Keith said he has been told that April 1 is the date that will happen. After that, the 39 CER will take over the site and Caroline will be put on display.

"I insisted it be accessible to the people of Chilliwack and other Canadians," he said.

Keith did want Caroline to stay at CMEC longer until the transition at ASU, but he's glad the tank will eventually be put on display near the front gate on Keith Wilson Road.

"When we realized how important Caroline was to the community of Chilliwack, we went through great lengths to see that she stayed here," said Lt.-Col. Beth Brown of 1 Area Support Group in 2008.

"It's appropriate that she's residing once again with the engineers, where she started."

phenderson@chilliwacktimes.com