DU QUOIN - It was the first time retired Carbondale firefighter Tom Wenzel drove his 1936 Diamond T Pumper in the Southern Illinois University Carbondale homecoming parade earlier this month.

He remembers vividly how people reacted to the vintage emergency vehicle manufactured in Chicago and purchased by the city of Carbondale in 1936 for more than $4,000 from General Fire Truck Co. in St. Louis.

"I was just real enthused how people responded to it. There were many people I knew that cheered us on. I was just really impressed with the applause. They appreciated me bringing the truck and being in the parade. Next year, we will return," Wenzel said.

The truck was part of Carbondale's fire fleet for almost 20 years before it was sold to the Cutler Fire Department.

"They used it for a few years before the truck was sold to a man from Marissa who had intentions of restoring it. I found it and bought it on Aug. 20, 1994, from the guy," Wenzel said.

With the urging on and help from his late son, Tim, who said, "We can do this. We can make it a showpiece, Dad," Wenzel said he got busy restoring it.

"I built a $10,000 garage just to house a piece of junk," he said humorously about the years that followed and going through the meticulous process of identifying and working every fine point of the restoration.

Besides a total engine replacement, Wenzel and his son had to restore the wooden bed that had rotted out.

"We finished it in 2001 and did a car show," Wenzel said.

He has done other events since getting it fully restored.

Wenzel has shown off his pride and possession at area car shows through the years, lent its presence in wedding celebrations and driven it in holiday celebrations.

The truck is emblematic of how important the duty of firefighting has been in Wenzel's life. The Carbondale native is proud of serving the Carbondale Fire Department for 29 years.

"I've never been sorry I took the job," Wenzel said about becoming a full-time firefighter for the department in 1960. "I've seen some bad things. And I've done some wonderful things."

His love for the Carbondale Fire Department has gone beyond restoring one of its vehicles. In 1996, Wenzel was part of a book committee that put together a centennial yearbook of the department that was celebrated a year later.

He also joined eight Carbondale volunteers traveling to New York in the fall of 2001 to offer aid and provide support after the 9/11 terrorist attack.

scott.fitzgerald@thesouthern.com / 351-5076