'Gracias Newtown': Sandy Hook Fire Truck Finds New Life in Guatemala

Amid smiling children and passing motorbikes, a fire truck from Newtown rolls down the streets of a small Guatemalan town. A group of firefighters ride on the back as it pulls into the fire station, its new home.

A sign on the driver's side door reads: Donado por Sandy Hook Vol. Fire Co.

(Click here to watch the tribute video, "Gracias Newtown from Guatemala." Warning: video contains some graphic footage.)

The fire truck is now serving the community of Retalhuleu, a town of about 40,000 in southwestern Guatemala, thanks to the efforts of Providence, RI firefighter Gordon Duke. Duke has been driving to Guatemala for years to donate supplies from New England firehouses -- he said he's made the trip 51 times. Seven years ago, he connected with Sandy Hook and Botsford fire companies and began passing on their equipment to the people of Guatemala.

"Everyone's been thinking, 'Oh, Sandy Hook and Newtown, everyone's been giving and giving to them,'" says Duke, referring to the outpouring of donations and support after the Dec. 14 shooting. "No -- they've been giving for years. They not only gave to their town, they've given to the people to Guatemala."

Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue has donated air packs and other gear in the past. But this is the first time they've donated a fire truck, according to chief Bill Halstead.

"[W]e don't usually have a truck to donate," he says.

During Hurricane Sandy, a tree crushed the 29-year-old truck. Halstead says the department planned to get rid of it, until Duke got in touch. After repairs, it was ready to go.

"They said for them, it wasn't a problem," said Halstead. "We were going to part it out. Then this came up and we thought it was a good idea if they were able to use it -- so we gave it to them."

Duke drove the truck down himself, across the United States and through Mexico, to get it to the Retalhuleu volunteer fire company.

"It's a perfect fit between Newtown and these guys," he says. "These guys here, they set the bar for the rest of the country. They're the best qualified, best certified, best equipped. It makes the other stations want to emulate it."

Duke formally presented the truck to the Bomberos Voluntarios Retalhuleu last Thursday. He says he's glad he could help Newtown pass on such a major gift to Guatemala. 

"I've always enjoyed going to Newtown," he says. "Every time I go in there and see that American flag in the middle of the street, it's inspirational ... That's the bottom line. These guys are all givers. It's important to know what happened [on and after Dec. 14], but I wish people knew these [fire] companies are fantastic."