By SALLIE SATTERTHWAITE
sallies@juno.com

When the Peachtree City Fire Department took delivery of a new fire truck, Fire Chief Gerald Reed wasn't on hand to enjoy that “new-car” thrill that even seasoned firefighters relish.

He is currently a resident at the American Cancer Society Wynn-Dixie Hope Lodge in Decatur while in treatment for cancer at Emory University Hospital. So the fire department — career employees and volunteers — took the engine to the chief. About 30 firefighters and spouses prepared a meal of ham, barbecued pork, fried chicken, green bean and other vegetable casserole, even red wine, and, using the city's recreation department van, convoyed with the truck to Emory.

There they showed off their gleaming new truck to patients and staff — and Reed. “Show and tell” was followed by lunch for everybody. Department secretary Maxine Barbour said that probably 100 people were fed; more than 70 were patients and their care givers. Food was provided in part or in whole by Harris Teeter, Publix and Kroger food stores, and by Partners II Pizza restaurant and Cafe Pig, she said.

Firefighters cooked most of it in the Hope Lodge kitchen.

Reed received a bone marrow transplant last month and is being closely monitored. So far, reports are optimistic, but he has lost weight, hair and muscle tone and faces an extended recovery. “It really lifted him,” said veteran fire Capt. Tom Hughey, referring to the visit. “I think he really enjoyed himself.”

Hughey added that Lt. Ron Mundy and Frank Murphy of Entertainment Productions Inc. should be credited with initiating and coordinating the enterprise. In a brief telephone interview, Reed confirmed Hughey's appraisal, adding that all the patients seemed to appreciate the visit and the close-up look at a state-of-the-art pumper.

Hope Lodge accepts cancer patients from any Atlanta hospital whose homes are too far away for them to return daily for required treatment or monitoring, said Mary Malone, a volunteer staffing the facility's telephone. “We provide housing free of charge, and patients can stay as long as they are going through treatment,” she said.

Most meals are brought in or prepared by patients' care givers, usually family members staying with them, but several times a week organizations like churches and civic groups — or fire departments — provide meals.

Greetings will reach Reed at the following address: Chief Gerald Reed, 1552 Shoup Court — Room 102, Decatur, Ga. 30033.