Man celebrates 97th birthday by living firefighter dreams

April 25 (UPI) -- A Pennsylvania man celebrated his 97th birthday by fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter.

Bill Grun, a resident at Wesley Enhanced Living in Doylestown, was treated to a birthday surprise Monday when the home contacted the Doylestown Fire Company and got them to send a crew and a truck to the celebration.

Grun was treated to a ride in the truck and was allowed to activate the siren, which he said was a lifelong dream.

"Always been very admiring of firemen," Grun told KYW-TV. "It is a milestone that when I was in my 70s I never thought I'd reach."

"I was kinda hoping for a helicopter, but I'll settle for a fire truck," Grun joked to WTXF-TV.

Grun previously made headlines last year when he celebrated his birthday by riding his bicycle with the Central Bucks Bike Club. He said he wanted to go for a birthday ride to celebrate the fact that, at 96, he still rode up to 10 miles a day.