Retired Mansfield fire Capt. Robert Rettig climbed aboard a city fire truck Tuesday afternoon with a little help.
After all, he is 89.
Outside Primrose Retirement Community, the former captain, who served the city fire department from Oct. 23, 1963 to Feb. 5, 1988, pushed his walker aside and was ready to go when told he was going for a ride.
With iPhones and camera flashing, people waving and cheering, Rettig was off for the ride. The Southerncare Hospice team planned the surprise '"fire party" for the retired fire captain.
Mansfield firefighters took him for a spin in what Rettig described as a much smoother ride than he had when on the department.
Residents and onlookers cheered him on when Rettig heard the news of the ride.