Fire truck part of tribute

An old Sublette fire truck was one of those featured at a Tribute to Rural Firefighters at the Half Century of Progress Farm Show Aug. 24-27 in Rantoul. Approximately 20 antique fire trucks and hose carts were on display during the show. The Sublette truck has a 1932 chassis and a fire apparatus built by local firemen.

Small town unsung heroes are the volunteer firefighters and their fire trucks. They are there for the barn blazes, field fires, corn picker accidents and car wrecks. When help is needed, and needed right now, this is how help arrives at the scene of a tornado touchdown, train derailment or school bus crash.

Whether made by International, Chevy, Ford or GMC, or a company like Pirsch, Darley or Alexis, these trucks, while not needed that often, were up to the task when called upon. The antique fire trucks gave the volunteer firefighters a chance against sometimes insurmountable odds. That’s why they might be dubbed “the unsung heroes of our small towns.”

The volunteers who drove the old trucks were certainly poorly equipped by today’s standards. But those farmers, mechanics, grain elevator operators, equipment salesmen, preachers and teachers did the best with what they had in those days before infrared heat-seeking cameras and powerful tanker pumps. Their tools seemed prehistoric by comparison. And that’s what makes what those brave volunteers did even more remarkable.

Country Car Show planned Sept. 9

The Sublette Country Car Show will be held Saturday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., located along U.S. Route 52 across from Vaessen Brothers Chevrolet.

The show will feature Kaiser-Frazer, Willys-Overland, Hudson and Nash. There will also be a special Chevrolet area. All makes of cars, trucks, motorcycles and even tractors are invited.

There will be no judging and no trophies, just tire-kicking and car talk. There is a $5 per car entry fee.

Other features will be food on the grounds, a 50/50 drawing, door prizes and 3D Sound Company.

Donations will be accepted for the Salvation Army.

For more information, contact Jerry Johnson at (847) 987-2191 or Don Dinges at (815) 849-5582.