Last year as Donnie Dillard was getting ready to retire, he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Doctors removed his right lung in February 2010, and after that his remaining lung collapsed twice.

Donnie spent extended time in the V.A. hospital in Nashville, leaving him in better health but still weak.

This meant that Donnie was unable to restore the antique tractor he had planned on riding in the 2010 Woodburn Christmas parade, which always has a large antique tractor presence.

This is where Donnie's friends from the Warren County Antique Tractor and Engine Club stepped in to help.

Some men from the club knew how badly Donnie had wanted to restore his first tractor to ride in the parade, so they decided to band together to get the job done.

In only three weeks, working six to seven hours a day, the group of men completely overhauled the tractor.

New parts, new tires, and a new coat of red paint made the tractor shine and last December, Donnie was able to ride his Farmall AV tractor in the the parade.

"It gave me a special feeling to see Donnie on it, that was the main thing.

The Christmas Parade is mainly for kids, but we all felt like kids that day," said Mark Crump who is a member of the club.

The men are humble, and do not see their hard work as heroic, just the right thing to do to help a friend.

Billy Riddle say, "I do see something special about having special friends like I've got. I do see that as special but as far as this, no."

But to Donnie, these guys are "superheroes."

They took his dream and made it a reality when he was unable to do so himself because they are the kind of friends "you just can't beat."

Donnie's health is improving everyday, and he has this advice for everyone: "Just enjoy the day. In other words just enjoy life. Just enjoy everyday like it was your last one, cause it very well could be. It almost was for me."