Calif. boy lives out dream of being a firefighter for a day

A young boy in Stockton, Calif., got to experience the dream of a lifetime this week as he was granted the chance to ride aboard a fire truck decked out in full firefighter gear.

Eric Bonell's special day was brought to fruition thanks in part to the Make-A-Wish foundation. Crowds cheered him on as he took the captain's seat aboard a blaring fire truck that drove through his neighborhood on Thursday.

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Other activities included tours of other local fire stations and helping put out a controlled blaze back at the downtown Stockton fire house.

See more about his special day in the gallery below:

It was his all part of celebrating his 12th birthday. Bonell has come a long way after doctors found a brain tumor when he was only 2-months old. The diagnosis left him with limited speech and movement.

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"He was given three weeks to three months to live," his mother Carol explained. "He's now 12 so he's a survivor."

Clearly this is a day he'll never forget.

"It's very touching," Stockton Fire Department Chief Erik Newman said.

Newman explained that when the fire truck appeared at Bonell's house he was eagerly ready to get started.

"Oh my gosh I have my tissue ... this is just awesome ... he's our hero," Eric's mom said.