Before he had even celebrated his second birthday, little Trucker Dukes from Maui, Hawaii, was facing a battle no child should ever have to fight. Doctors diagnosed him with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive cancer.
While his father, a firefighter, stayed home to care for their three other children, Trucker and his mom traveled thousands of miles to New York City in search of specialized treatment. It was a journey filled with uncertainty, hope, and moments of grace.
One of those moments came unexpectedly at the Ronald McDonald House, where families stay during treatment. That’s where Trucker met Captain Jim Grismer of the New York City Fire Department. Captain Grismer still remembers it vividly:
“I saw this little boy walking toward me, his eyes shining with excitement. I opened my arms, and he climbed up, wrapped his tiny arms around my neck, and hugged me like we’d known each other forever,” he recalled. “It was one of those moments you never forget.”
That hug sparked something more than just a kind meeting—it began a friendship. Not long after, Captain Grismer invited Trucker and his mom on a tour of several firehouses in the city. The firefighters welcomed him with open arms, showing him the trucks, the gear, and the life of the firehouse.
Then came the moment that made Trucker’s eyes light up even brighter—he was sworn in as an honorary firefighter. It wasn’t just a title to him; he truly believed it. From that day on, the FDNY became more than just a group of firefighters—they became family.
Trucker’s mom later shared on Facebook: “This honor means so much to us because Trucker really believes he’s a firefighter. We’re so lucky to have been embraced by the FDNY. Over and over again, I’ve watched big, tough men fall in love with Trucker. It’s really something special.”
In the middle of hospital visits, treatments, and endless uncertainty, the firehouses of New York gave Trucker something beyond medicine—they gave him belonging, joy, and a brotherhood that stretched across an ocean.
And in return, a little boy from Maui reminded a city of heroes what it means to be brave.