Boston, MA Local 718 President Sam Dillon was just a high school freshman when the Sept. 11 attacks shook the nation. At that moment, he knew what his future held.
“I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. That day changed everything for me,” Dillon said. “It was a call to action, and I couldn’t ignore it. I enlisted as soon as I was able.”
In 2005, Dillon enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, driven by a deep sense of duty. He served as a sergeant in Iraq and Afghanistan until 2011. After leaving the Marines, Dillon joined the Boston Fire Department, where he has served his community for the past 11 years.
It was a call to action, and I couldn’t ignore it. I enlisted as soon as I was able.
Local 718 president and u.s. marine corps veteran sam dillon
“The military and firefighting are similar in a lot of ways,” Dillon said. “The brotherhood and the team effort. As fire fighters, we must work together, be able to operate within a team and serve as a cohesive unit. Nothing is going to prepare you for that quite like the military.”
Dillon says the lessons learned in combat were not just about courage under fire, but about leadership and accountability.
“It’s definitely instilled in me a very strong work ethic and leadership traits,” he said. “I learned a lot about accountability and responsibility coming out of the Marine Corps, but the biggest thing is having pride in everything that you do and do it to the very best of your ability.”
For Palo Alto, CA Local 1319 member John Preston, the decision to serve was also shaped by a deep-rooted family tradition. His father and brothers had all served in the United States Marine Corps, and Preston was the last to follow in their footsteps.
“I was the last in the lineage to give my service to this great country,” said Preston. “My father’s love for the Corps and his stories of his time in Vietnam were a major factor in my choice to serve.”
Preston enlisted in 2000 and served as a field wireman with the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines in Iraq. After leaving the Marines in 2004, Preston returned home and joined the Palo Alto Fire Department. He now dedicates his time to helping veterans and first responders who are struggling with post-traumatic stress. He launched the “22 and You” hike to support first responders and veterans struggling with mental health, inspired by the fact that 22 veterans a day die by suicide. After losing his brother, Michael, a fellow Marine and police officer, to suicide, Preston channeled his grief into action, going out on several walks, including a most recent 704-mile hike with his wife, Cory, to raise awareness and help prevent further tragedies.
“We’ve seen a lot of our friends and people close to us dealing with the effects of the job,” Preston said. “We reached thousands last time, and my goal now is to reach millions and change lives.”
I was the last in the lineage to give my service to this great country. My father’s love for the Corps and his stories of his time in Vietnam were a major factor in my choice to serve.
palo alto, ca Local 1319 fire fighter John Preston
The Washington State Council of Fire Fighters recognized members who served in the military, including Ray Cruz, a Joint Base Lewis-McChord Local F-283 member and United States Air Force Fire Protection Senior Airman (E-4) who served from 2002-2006. Cruz was deployed to Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan and honored with the Air Force Material Command’s Military Firefighter of the Year award.
“My memories and stories will always be embedded in the people I met and the lifelong friendships I created. Serving in the military was the best decision I made out of high school,” Cruz said.
Bob “BK” Kilduff, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Executive Assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer with the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, has always believed in the power of service. Growing up in a family of fire fighters, he never imagined the military would play such a pivotal role in shaping his life and career.
“In 1998, I walked into a recruiting station in Boston, and a Gunnery Sergeant asked me, “What can you do for the Marine Corps?” It was a simple question, but it changed everything for me,” Kilduff said. “That moment led me to Parris Island and a journey that taught me about leadership, honor, and discipline in ways I never expected. Thanks to the Marines, the Boston Fire Department, the community I serve, and my family, all get the best version of myself.”
In 1998, I walked into a recruiting station in Boston, and a Gunnery Sergeant asked me, “What can you do for the Marine Corps?” It was a simple question, but it changed everything for me.
U.S. Marine Corps veteran and pffm fire fighter bob “BK” Kilduff
Kilduff’s military service has not only shaped his own life, but also inspired his children. “It was a humbling experience when my 18-year-old son came to me and said he felt compelled to be part of something bigger than himself. He said he had seen the camaraderie and esprit de corps I shared with my Marine brothers, and he decided he wanted to be a Marine, too. And now, just like me, he wants to be a Boston fire fighter.”
For veterans, it’s important to continue service beyond the armed forces.
“Many of our IAFF members have proudly worn their country’s uniform,” said General President Edward Kelly, a U.S. Air Force veteran. “Their continued commitment to putting others first as fire fighters and emergency medical workers is the embodiment of courage.”
