Dear Cammack family I am absolutely devastated to hear about the passing of Mr. Cammack. It was the summer of 1994 that I had the privilege to meet Mr. & Mrs. Cammack on their beautiful Leesburg Virginia farm. I had previously spoken to Tom over the phone about purchasing his 1929 American La France fire engine. A date and time was set and a friend of mine accompanied me on the journey to Leesburg.
Tom was a genuine down to earth honest gentleman and his antique automobile collection is something I still talk about to this day. We were simply awestruck at the collection, quality of restoration and there was a story about each vehicle. When I asked Tom who did his restorative work he replied "I just picked up a book and taught myself how to weld, rebuilt engines, paint, and do gold leaf work". As we were looking at the 1929 Tom turned to me looked me straight in the eye and said " you know I want to make sure this fire engine is going to a good home as I spent 8 years of my life working on it". Will it be stored inside?
I gave Tom and Agnes my assurance and purchased to 29 American La France and still own it to this day. I also purchased a 1927 American La France fire engine from Tom that was sitting on the side of a mountain and had trees growing up through it. The 29 has become one of the family after 22 years. This purchase also forged a personal relationship with the Cammack family as Agnes and I exchanged Christmas cards every year where I would report on the comings and goings of the 29.
In October of 1999 the 29 achieved it's Senior AACA Award at the Fall Hershey car show which showed the world how beautifully Tom restored that fire engine and the labor and love that went into that vehicle for 8 years. The 29 remains in a climate controlled carpeted building still turning heads whether it is rolling down the street, or parked in the fire house.
God's Speed Thomas Cammack, and God Bless your beautiful family. Rest in Peace knowing that you touched so many people in so many great ways. Our thoughts and prayers reach out to you.
Robert Banach, Chesapeake, Virginia