Pink Fire Truck Rolls in to Texas Station

A fire truck is pretty hard to miss - especially when it's bright pink.

The "Guardians of the Ribbon," five firefighters, police officers and community leaders, will pull up to the Beaumont Fire Museum at 1 p.m. Wednesday in a pink fire truck pulling a pink trailer with a 10' foot tall stainless steel ribbon.

The group is driving the truck cross-country in support of cancer victims, survivors and their families. The City of Beaumont, Beau-mont Fire and Rescue, Professional Firefighters Local 399, Beaumont Police Department and the Fire Museum of Texas are hosting the event.

Cancer survivors, city dignitaries and local citizens are invited to attend the welcome rally at C.A. "Pete" Shelton Memorial Plaza, in front of the Central Fire Station at Calder and Main in downtown Beaumont.

Hurricane Gustav means the truck will have to be re-routed once it leaves Beaumont, said Carol Gary, executive director of the Fire Museum of Texas.

"We didn't want to cancel this event because firefighters and policeman across the county are supporting their efforts and it's important to us locally. They've already had to reroute because they won't be able to go into Lafayette, which was to be their next stop," Gary said.

"We're proud to have them here and we encourage all cancer survivors and citizens to come out for the 1 p.m. reception. They will remain at the fire museum until 6 p.m. for anyone who wants to share their story and sign the truck."

Gary said the Gift of Life offered to help get the word out Tuesday, sending emails to their extensive list of cancer survivors and supporters.

"We appreciate Norma Sampson and her staff helping us at the last minute to ensure the event is a success."

The copper and stainless steel ribbon is 10 feet tall, 9 feet long and weighs 3,000 pounds. It eventually will become a fountain after the tour.

For more information, call the museum at (409) 880-3927.

Republished with permission from The Beaumont Enterprise