Lucas Voight scaled the rear ladder of Portage Fire Engine 3 on Friday morning, glancing back just long enough to see an infectious smile spread across his mother’s face.
Sarah Voight asked if her son was a monkey. The Fall River 6-year-old said he wanted to be a ninja, then climbed down the ladder and hoisted his body on the rear platform of the truck and swung his legs around, gleefully swinging them below.
“I’m going to Florida, where the sharks are,” Lucas declared from atop his perch.
The all-expense-paid-for journey for Lucas, who was diagnosed with leukemia more than three years ago, became possible when Lt. Steve Dehn retired from the Portage Fire Department after 36 years.
In lieu of accepting gifts, Dehn asked people instead to donate to the Make-A-Wish foundation.