Tri-Parish image boosted with police jury meetings
February 14, 2012Lafourche deals with water lily problem
February 14, 2012The Spirit of Louisiana fire truck, which was donated to the city of New York in response to the terrorist events on Sept. 11, 2001, will lead this year’s Krewe of Houmas on Mardi Gras Day.
The 42,000-pound truck was built by Ferrera Fire Apparatus Co. of Holden with funds raised by Louisiana citizens. The fire truck was made to New York state requirement specifications and is capable of pumping 1,000 gallons of water per minute. Louisiana citizens also donated two hazardous material trucks that were used for hazardous spill cleanup operations.
The engine was assigned to a fire station in the Bronx and replaced a truck that was lost after responding to the attack. New York lost 35 fire trucks on 9/11.
In a show of brotherhood, New York returned the goodwill and sent convey of trucks to help with recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina. The Sprit of Louisiana led a convoy from the Big Apple to the Big Easy.
“We sent them an invitation on Sept. 8, 2011,” Krewe of Houmas parade captain Jackie Clement said. “They were happy to be able to come here. Houmas is so nice and a family-oriented event. So, people like to come to Houma because of that.”
The Krewe of Houmas has been riding on Mardi Gras for 66 years and the parade captain said this organization always likes to offer something other krewes might not be able to provide. “We just like to do the best we can with the money we have,” he said.
“They just asked for some beads to throw,” Clement said, noting the only cost associated with this vehicular visit. “We are going to give them the beads.”
