MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION | AM I A FIREMAN YET?

LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT

Make-a-Wish's First Official Wish Kid Wanted to be a Firefighter

Frank “Bopsy” Salazar was the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s first official wish kid. He was a 7-year-old diagnosed with leukemia and revered people in uniform – he wanted to be a firefighter.

The first wish-granting team started with the Phoenix Fire Department, which made him a full uniform, including turnouts and a helmet. He joined Engine 9’s ladder truck; the crew let him blare the horn and douse cars with the 75-pound hose. At the end of the day, the firefighters pinned his official firefighter’s badge on his uniform, making Bopsy the city’s first honorary firefighter.

But there was more to come. Media coverage of Bopsy’s wish made others want to help, and more offers came in from people eager to lift his spirits.

Chris and Bob Pearce, hot-air balloon pilots and owners, then took Bopsy on an unforgettable ride with a bird’s-eye view of Phoenix.

Next, Disneyland created a special day complete with private tours, meals, gifts and more. This marked the beginning of the Make-A-Wish Foundation's magical relationship with Disney. Visiting a Disney park remains the Foundation's most requested wish, and Disney continues to be one of the Foundation's most generous supporters.

Bopsy returned to the hospital after his trip to Disneyland. As he slept in his third-floor room, someone knocked on his window and opened it. Five of his fellow Phoenix firefighters climbed through using the ladder on the truck parked below. Bopsy shared a few laughs with his friends before going back to sleep with a smile on his face. Later that evening, Bopsy passed away – but not before seeing his fondest wishes come true.

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Am I a Fireman Yet?

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING STORY IS SOMEWHAT TRUE (IT HAS BEEN CIRCULATED ONLINE FOR YEARS) AND IS BASED ON THE REAL STORY ABOVE.

IN PHOENIX, ARIZ., a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6-year-old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up and fulfil all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible. The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dream to come true.

She took her son's hand and asked, "Ben, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?"

"Mom, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."

LATER THAT DAY she went to her local fire station, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her boy a ride around the block on a fire engine. Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the full Monty! And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy -one with the emblem of our Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here, so we can get them fast."

Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Ben, dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting truck. Ben got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in the city that day and Ben got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines that day. He was also videotaped for the local news program. Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Ben, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.

One night, all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Ben had spent as a fireman, so she called the fire station and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Ben as he made his transition.

THE OFFICER IN CHARGE replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system, that there is not a fire? It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room? About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Ben's third floor open window ....

and 16 firefighters climbed up the ladder into Ben's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him. With his dying breath, Ben looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?"

"Ben, you are. And, the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand," the chief said. With those words, Ben smiled and said, "I know, He's been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been singing." He closed his eyes one last time.

- author unknown, photos by Justin Rudd!

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