HARRISBURG -- He may have been passed over by the Country Music Awards but one of state Rep. Michael C. Gruitza’s songs received special recognition this week at the State Museum in Harrisburg.

In addition to representing the 7th District in the state house, Gruitza, of Hermitage, writes country songs as a hobby.

Gruitza wrote a song several years ago that was inspired by a museum display featuring Engine No. 2, a retired 1947 Mack pumper that served the Camp Hill Fire Co. in the Harrisburg area until 1965.

The pumper has been on display at the museum for several years and now visitors can listen with headphones to a recording by Nashville studio musician Kimo Forrest of Gruitza’s song "Engine No. 2" when they view the pumper.

A sign explains how Gruitza wrote the song after seeing the fire truck display.

"While it’s a song about a particular fire truck, it’s a story that applies to every fire station. In every fire hall in Pennsylvania there’s at least one proctor of an old fire truck that was the heart of the station during their day and their memory is still held in legendary esteem," Gruitza said.

The enhanced exhibit was officially opened this week at a ceremony attended by Gruitza and his legislative staff, members of the Camp Hill fire company and Brent Glass, director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Gruitza says the song is reminiscent of country songs written in the early 1960s like "Big Bad John". He says this is the first song of his to receive public recognition, although about 14 have been recorded as demos by Nashville studio musicians.

"Engine No. 2" is also being played on local radio station WPIC 790 AM.