Friday, May 11, 2001
The lawmaker says this is his second favorite song.
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- It's a little known fact that state Rep. Michael Gruitza of Hermitage, D-7th, likes to sit down in his spare time and pen country and western tunes.
The secret's out now, however, as one of his tunes has been enshrined in the State Museum in Harrisburg.
Gruitza, inspired by an old fire engine on display when he visited the museum a couple of years ago, wrote a ballad, "Engine No. 2," and the tune, recorded by studio musicians in Nashville, is a part of the museum display.
Gruitza has written more than a dozen country and western songs but said this is the first to receive public recognition. "Engine No. 2" is his second favorite piece, ranking behind "Joan," a song he wrote about his wife.
About the song: "While it's a song about a particular firetruck, it's a story that applies to every fire station," he said.
"In every fire hall in Pennsylvania, there's at least one picture of an old firetruck that was the heart of the station during their day and their memory is still held in legendary esteem," he aid.
Visitors to the museum can listen to the song through earphones.
Engine No. 2 is a 1947 Mack pumper truck that served the Camp Hill Fire Co. in Cumberland County. It was retired from service in 1965.
For those who can't make the trip to Harrisburg, the song can be heard on Gruitza's Web site at http:\\pahouse\gruitza\index.htm. It can be found in the press releases section.