STOCKTON, Calif. — A California boy’s wish to become a firefighter for a day came true Thursday thanks to the Stockton Fire Department and the Make-A-Wish foundation.
Fox40.com reported a Stockton Fire Department truck went on a secret mission to surprise 12-year-old brain cancer survivor Eric Bonnell by picking him up from his home with lights on and sirens blaring. The rig carried Eric to Fire Station 2. Eric was then presented with a uniform and helmet before friends cheered him on as he rode a rig to Fire Station 6.
From there, Eric headed back downtown where a crowd had gathered.
“This is awesome. This is Stockton coming together again,” Stockton Fire Chief Erik Newman said.
Eric’s day as a firefighter continued when he extinguished a “raging” fire in just minutes and received a proclamation from the mayor.
Carol Bonnell, Eric’s mom, said although the battle with brain cancer has impaired his speech and limited his motor skills, she could tell he was happy to be with the firefighters.
“He shows excitement sort of being just in awe,” Bonnell said. “Eric’s been on such a long road health-wise and this is just an amazing experience for him.”