We Did It! Our Custom Ink Fundraising Campaign Has Closed
Need shirts for your next group event? Create your own custom t shirts.
Interested In Fundraising With Custom T-Shirts? Start Your Own Custom Ink Fundraising Campaign
"Fire Fighters Never Fight Alone"
Gildan Ultra Cotton T-shirt
- Sizes YXS - XXXXL
- View Sizing Guide
Firefighters Never Fight Alone
On March 3, 2017, Trucker Dukes, a 3-year-old honorary New York City Fire Fighter died in his mother’s arms. Trucker fought against Neuroblastoma since the age of 19-months and travelled to NYC for treatment. The toddler befriended many FDNY fire fighters and would visit their fire houses.To honor their fallen brother, FDNY fire fighter's began writing Trucker’s name on their “riding lists” on the day he passed. Lists on the wall of the many fire houses had Trucker working different assignments throughout New York city. Photos of the boards where shared on social media with the hashtag “#TruckerRidesWithUs." Even today, fire fighters from around the world write “FF Dukes”, ”Dukes”, or “Trucker Dukes" on their riding lists.
Trucker and his mom spent a lot of time away from their home on Maui during the many surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy treatments. Five thousand miles away, Trucker's dad, Joshua Dukes continued to work as a Maui Fire Fighter and his three older siblings attended school. Homesick and isolated from their family and friends, Trucker and his mom were both welcomed as family among several fire houses in Manhattan.
While walking in the city, Trucker and his mom met FDNY Captain Jim Grismer after he exited Engine 22 on a call to the Ronald McDonald House.
“I see this little boy excitedly walking towards me with his eyes aglow. I opened my arms and he basically climbed up and hugged me around the neck,” said Grismer. “It was as if we've been friends/brothers for years.”
Grismer and other firefighters began inviting them to visit firehouses.
When Trucker turned three, firefighters from FDNY Engine 22, Ladder 13, Battalion 10 hosted Trucker and his mom for a birthday party at their firehouse.
Trucker became an honorary fire fighter with the New York City Fire Department in May of 2016 at a ceremony at the FDNY Fire Academy with his dad, Joshua Dukes, holding him in front of hundreds of fire fighters.
His fire fighter brother, Captain Jim Grismer, made a video requesting others to pray for Trucker and send photos of their toughest face for a social media challenge.
On the day Trucker passed away, FDNY fire fighter's began writing Trucker's name on their "riding lists" as a way to honor their fallen little brother.
To learn more about Trucker Dukes please follow:
https://www.facebook.com/TeamTrucker/ and www.teamtrucker.org/blog
Comments
Share Why You Support ""Fire Fighters Never Fight Alone""
Supporters
I LOVE MY KIDS AND GRANDKIDS
Love you Christine Lenfant