Little Boy to Become Honorary FDNY Member

By Linda DiProperzio May 17, 2016

As 3-year-old Trucker Dukes fights cancer, he’s found support from some local heroes—the FDNY, who will be honoring the little boy by swearing him into the New York City Fire Department as an honorary firefighter during an oath ceremony at the end of the month, according to a Facebook post.

After being diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma at just 19 months old, Trucker came to New York City with his mom for treatment, while his dad and three older siblings stayed behind in their native Hawaii. His dad is a firefighter and Trucker loved to visit him at work at the Kihei fire station.

So when Trucker spotted FDNY Captain Jim Grismer get out of a fire truck while on a call at the Ronald McDonald House, where Trucker was staying, the little boy didn’t hesitate to go over and say hello.

"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," Grismer said. "It was as if we've been friends and brothers for years."

Since then, Trucker and his mom have been invited to visit different firehouses around NYC, and the department also hosted Trucker's birthday party. And later on this month, Trucker will be sworn into the New York City Fire Department as an honorary firefighter during an oath ceremony. The family’s supporters are trying to raise enough money so that Tucker’s father and siblings can attend the ceremony.

"This honor is so special to us because Trucker-Boy really thinks he's a fireman," Shauna Dukes, Trucker's mom, said in a Facebook post. "We are so blessed to have been adopted by the FDNY. Time and time again, I have watched big tough men fall in love with Trucker. It's really something special."

For updates on Tucker’s health or to donate money, visit facebook.com/TeamTrucker.

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Main image via Facebook