A potpourri of people on a stormy afternoon

Stopped to rescue an 80–year–old couple.

No gas–traffic whizzing by.

A huge red truck pulled up and stayed behind.

Peter and Ruth Rauch so kind

Supervised the rescue.

Though gas was on the way

They did not leave the scene that eventful day.

Their big, red Reliable Signage Lighting Truck

Presided over the spot and kept the traffic moving past.

The cab became an AC haven, bottled water and all.

Radio connection, too.

Smiling angels of mercy were Ruth and Pete that day.

Signs of love and light their efforts did display.

Their teammate, Richard Hutto,

A passing deacon friend,

Took Mrs. Reed on home out of the summer din.

Faithful brother, Robert Reed, brought a can of gas.

DOT was present – big yellow truck up front,

And the driver who stayed put.

And a big handsome patrol man added to our stunt.

Little did I know when back in ’42

I labored as a survey rodman on this very road.

Twas #43 back then — now a buzzing

Sunset Boulevard–378.

So thanks to these and all the rest

who cared enough to ask

And all the delayed travelers who were slow to pass.

A poem by –