Heroes

One night, in a sleepy one-horse town, a huge chemical plant suddenly exploded into flames. The alarm went off and departments from miles around raced to the scene. After the fire had been fought for over an hour without managing to gain any ground, the chemical company president told the fire chief: "All of our secret formulas are in the vault in the center of the plant. They must be saved! I personally will give $50,000 to the engine company that brings them out safely!"

At that, the firemen attacked with a renewed gusto ... but two hours later they could not gain any ground. The company president doubled his reward, to $100,000, but it seemed that the fire was just too entrenched and too stubborn and too dangerous.

In the distance, the wail of yet another siren was heard: and soon another fire truck came into sight. The fire chief shook his head, aware it was the little local rinky-dink volunteer fire company, composed entirely of men over 65 years of age. Yet much to his amazement, the newly-arrived fire engine raced through the chemical plant gates and drove right into the heart of the inferno. He watched in terror and disbelief as the old timers quickly hopped off their rig, fighting the fire with an effort that he had never before witnessed.

Less than an hour later, the fire was out and the secret formulas had been saved by this group of volunteers. The chemical company president was so ecstatic he doubled the reward to $200,000! After thanking the volunteers again and again, the chemical company president couldn't help but ask what they planned to do with the reward money.

The driver of the fire engine looked him tight in the eye: "First thing we will do is fix the brakes on this truck."

via