One young boy went to the fire station and changed everyone’s lives. The fire captain and crew started crying when this child handed them a note with a small request. No one expected it, but it was amazing. Are you interested in finding out what happened between the boy and the firemen? Keep reading to learn more!
Meet Jim Grimzer
Jim Grimzer was born and raised in crazy New York City. He became the captain of the New York Fire Department because his entire family had done so before him. It wasn’t a huge shock, and he liked to serve the local community.
Meet Jim Grimzer
Dangers on the Job
Everyone knows that firefighting is a dangerous job. While working, Jim suffered a tragedy. This left him confused and concerned because he worried about continuing this work. Still, he realized the hazards, and it all hit home for him.
Dangers on the Job
Lost a Good Man
Jim lost one of the firefighters on his team. This man was young and had only recently joined the department. Overall, the captain only met him during a few occasions. Still, it was his job to be responsible for the welfare of everyone.
Lost a Good Man
A Tragic Day
The grief consumed the captain for a few weeks after the department’s recent loss. He was in a deep hole and couldn’t get out of it. It was likely he was suffering from PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and depression. However, a major change was about to happen!
A Tragic Day
A Special Visit
Sometimes, Jim wasn’t called to the scene of an accident, but he could perform surprise visits whenever he wanted. One day, he did so to help out. The group resolved the problem and were getting ready to go back to the fire station. Jim had his team’s back!
A Special Visit
New York Fire Department
FDNY has about 10,000 firefighters, but they work at different stations. That means some firefighters aren’t always on the scene. Still, Jim happened to be at the perfect place at the best time. He experienced something magical that held power for him.
New York Fire Department
Special Requests
While they were getting ready to leave, a young boy went up to Jim with a special request. The fire captain was used to children being excited to see that fire engine and the crew. However, he realized this child had something different in mind.
Special Requests
Meet Trucker Dukes
Trucker Dukes was the young boy in question. He’d been in the city for a while now, and he thought it was the perfect time to continue with his special interest. While he had dreams, he never thought they’d come true.
Meet Trucker Dukes
The Happy Surprise
Trucker and his mother were living at the Ronald McDonald House in New York. They had finished an outing, and the child saw the fire trucks and firefighters. He was instantly excited when he saw the fire department captain!
The Happy Surprise
The Conversation
Though Trucker and his mom planned to go home, they saw Jim heading to the fire engine after completing his job at the scene. They decided to approach him and start a conversation. Trucker then revealed his request.
The Conversation
Trucker’s Heroes
Trucker told Jim that he loved firefighters. His mother agreed that it was his all-time favorite interest. In fact, he was fascinated by everything to do with the fire department. Jim realized it wasn’t the normal adoration as the child kept talking.
Trucker’s Heroes
He Was Committed
Trucker’s mother, Sarah, told Jim that her son had different ornaments and trucks that were part of firefighting. In fact, this boy wasn’t interested in other toys and topics. The fire service was a huge part of this young child’s life.
He Was Committed
His Outfit
Trucker had on jeans and a T-shirt, but there was a firefighter jacket over the ensemble. Jim found it adorable, making him realize how much Trucker cared about what his team did. Jim asked the boy’s mother what had inspired his love of firefighting.
His Outfit
His Reason
Sarah said that her husband was also a firefighter. Trucker grew up hearing all the stories and reveling in the excitement his father experienced every day. Plus, they’d visit Joshua at the fire station. Jim was touched as he remembered his own family.
His Reason
Far from Home
Jim wanted to know if Sarah’s husband was in the FDNY, but he got a strange answer. Sarah and Trucker lived in Maui, Hawaii, and were only in NYC for a short period. Trucker’s father worked there, and it would be a week before they saw him.
Far from Home
Trucker’s Condition
The news puzzled everyone because they expected Trucker to go to school in his home state. Sarah then explained that he had a disease called neuroblastoma. After being diagnosed two years ago, they decided to seek treatment at one of the best hospitals in NY.
Trucker’s Condition
A Rare Condition
Neuroblastoma is rare. The cancer affects children less than 5 years old in most cases. Plus, there’s no cure for people like Trucker. Still, doctors have ways of managing it through different treatments, and Trucker had to be in NYC for it to happen.
A Rare Condition
Stage Four Cancer
Since Trucker needed treatment, the firefighters were curious about why they were leaving NYC. They learned that Trucker had stage four cancer. The family wanted to be together at the end because no one could help their son.
Stage Four Cancer
Stressful Toll
Trucker had endured a lot because of his treatments, and the body can only take so much. The medication ravaged his body, and the doctors had tried every possibility. In fact, this young child had chemotherapy three times and two surgeries!
Stressful Toll
His Treatment
While the doctors did what they could, nothing worked to remove the tumor. In fact, no one could do anything else to help. Therefore, Sarah and her husband decided that Trucker should be at home with his family. Everyone was sad at the news.
His Treatment
Trucker’s Request
Jim definitely had to hear Trucker’s request after learning about his situation. The young boy wanted to be a firefighter. After staring at the child for a moment, the captain hugged him. In fact, the entire team wished to help because they were so touched.
Trucker’s Request
His Home
Though Jim was happy, he had a question. He asked Trucker why he wanted to be a firefighter for FDNY instead of the Hawaiian department where his father worked. Sarah explained that Trucker had seen Jim in action and became fascinated.
His Home
The Extra Mile
Jim finally realized that Trucker wanted to be a firefighter more than anything else in life because he cared about the profession. Therefore, the captain had to make it more special. A simple badge and some pictures weren’t enough!
The Extra Mile
His Plan
The captain came up with the best plan and wanted to implement it quickly before the mother and son left for Hawaii. Therefore, he talked to his team to set a date for the ceremony so that Trucker could be an honorary firefighter.
His Plan
The Guest List
As they planned, Jim found out which guests would attend the ceremony and was shocked. In fact, Trucker’s father and his other relatives decided to fly to New York to be there. Overall, everything had to be perfect.
The Guest List
The Big Day
Jim was so worried in the days leading up to the ceremony, but it was all for nothing. Trucker’s family came to support him. Plus, Joshua, Trucker’s father, carried him up to the podium so that he could recite the vow to be a firefighter.
The Big Day
Happy Birthday
Just a few days after the ceremony, Trucker had his birthday party. It was filled with FDNY firefighters and the child’s family. Overall, his wish was now fulfilled. Still, his family had to make another decision about his life.
Happy Birthday
Ending the Treatment
It was likely to be hard to discuss the decision with the rest of the family. However, Joshua and Sarah decided what was best for their son. They planned to end his treatment because he wasn’t truly living anymore.
Ending the Treatment
Social Media
The family decided to live life to the fullest for Trucker when they chose to end his cancer treatments. They decided to call it the Trucker Tough Challenge. This showed all of his amazing experiences and was shared on various social media platforms.
Social Media
British Columbia
Trucker, his three older siblings, and his parents decided to visit British Columbia first. They wanted their son to experience the world with whatever time he had left and with what they could afford. Therefore, they went sledding in Whistler.
British Columbia
No Worries
Joshua and Sarah realized that they were a large family and had medical bills to pay for previous treatments. Therefore, they couldn’t afford many trips and activities. Still, they did what they could to see Trucker happy in his final days.
No Worries
Gaining Support
Soon, the Trucker Tough Challenge went viral, as many social media stories do. The Duke family became overwhelmed by the huge amount of support they got. Many individuals donated to the cause or shared the story. Everyone smiled when Trucker had fun.
Gaining Support
Passing Away
About a year after stopping his treatment plan, Trucker passed away. When it happened, he was in his mom’s house and was comfortable. This young man fulfilled his dreams of being an honorary firefighter. Plus, he spent plenty of time with his family.
Passing Away
The Surprising Perspective
Clearly, Trucker died too soon. However, his parents didn’t regret any of their decisions. They did their best to give Trucker a great life filled with joy and love. It was time to celebrate him, even if it was painful to say goodbye.
The Surprising Perspective
Paying Tribute
The firefighters in New York City and Hawaii were saddened by losing Trucker. They made sure to send well wishes to the family. However, that wasn’t enough for some, and they realized more had to be done for their honorary firefighter.
Paying Tribute
The Mural
The Hawaiian firefighters chose to create a gorgeous memorial mural for Trucker, which meant coming together as a team. Part of it was because of his father, who was a firefighter. However, they also knew Trucker loved the fire service.
The Mural
The Official Register
The fire service in Hawaii did one more thing by adding Trucker’s name to the department’s official register. That meant the young boy lived on in their memories. His father was comforted because he knew that his son’s name would show alongside his own.
The Official Register
Trucker’s Tombstone
Trucker’s dad knew that he should keep his son close to his heart. The only way to do it was by continuing his work as a firefighter because of his son’s love for the service. Whenever he misses Trucker, he goes to his son’s grave.
Trucker’s Tombstone
Raising Awareness
Many years have passed since Sarah and Joshua lost their son, Trucker. Now, they focus on raising awareness for neuroblastoma. Plus, they are advocates for better treatments that are used on young children.
Raising Awareness
Advocating
Joshua and Sarah made it through this challenging time in their lives by making life easier for other kids. Parents and children should never have to go through such painful treatments, and they’re pushing for less harsh ones.
Advocating
