Stories of Service
They protect and save us.
We admire them and aspire to be like them. In uniform, in Our Communities, in every branch of the military, Our Heroes give their all —and sometimes the ultimate sacrifice.
These are their stories. On the eleventh of every month, we celebrate these selfless men and women with profiles of their service. Reflecting on their accomplishments and respecting each challenge overcome. Take note. Take pride. Please join us in honoring them here.
Remembering Dr. Frank Boston
Dr. Frank Boston came from a family of veterans. His father served during the Civil War. Following his graduation from medical school in 1915, Dr. Boston answered the call to serve with the Army Medical Corps. He trained in Fort Des Moines, Iowa where all African-American officers for WWI were sent for training. During his service, Dr. Boston battled racism at home and within the military, he battled the enemy and the Spanish Flu during WWI and he returned home to continue his life of service. Upon returning to the US, he resumed his duties at Mercy Hospital in Philadelphia and started an ambulance corps, pioneering the EMS field.
He was Meant to Have It
Luke Fickell received a unique and highly sentimental item from his father, a scapular that Pat Fickell had carried with him throughout his time serving in Vietnam with the Marine Corps. Luke was crushed when...
A Chief and a Volunteer
Robert Langston spent 35-years serving the Washington DC community with the Park Police rising to the rank of Chief. He had a front row seat to the history of this country during the frequent demonstrations...
A Decision to Fly
“You always worry about your children leaving, not knowing what the future is going to bring, wanting her to be safe, not wanting to clip her wings and let her make her decision to fly,”...
The Trailblazer
“I was the first woman on the Charles County Sheriff’s Department, hired in 1974, 50 years ago,” says Sylvia Mudd with a proud smile. She was a trailblazer in her local law enforcement community. “It...
“You have to remember.”
Lee Humiston enlisted in the Air Force at 17-years old and joined the Orientation Group where he was surrounded by POWs and the history of their brave service. Today, he collects military memorabilia from across...
A Book Filled with Memories
Stan Teller returned home from his service with the Navy during World War II and he stored his memories in a book in his attic. Those memories, and the stories of his incredible service, came...
Very Necessary to Remember
Sean McClure was a father, a friend and a special forces soldier. Most importantly he was a role model, a hero and a brother. “I wear his bracelet. It says ‘A Brother Above All Brothers’...
Forty-Four Years
“My last shift will be bittersweet,” said Jon Rigolo, who spent 44-years serving his community with the fire service. He has learned some valuable lessons which he’s passed on to the next generation of firefighters...
A Man of History
In 1975, Tom Glenn was on the last helicopter out of Saigon. His evacuation was part of Operation Frequent Wind in which 7,000 Americans and refugees were evacuated over 18 hours before the North Vietnamese...
A Precious Commodity
In challenging circumstances, always do the right thing. Sometimes the right thing is the hardest thing to do, but always do the right thing,” said Ralph Galati who spent over a year as a POW...
“I just was there to help however I could”
Greg Masi spent 40 years serving his community and his fellow hometown heroes in the city of Philadelphia. It was the realization of a childhood dream to become a public servant. “I remember as a...
It was an honor and a privilege.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Veterans of World War II proudly served throughout Europe and the Pacific to protect the country they love. They captured territory, liberated concentration camps and risked their own...
His Actions Saved Their Lives
“It was going to be Abe’s last mission and it turned into an ambush,” said Constance Howard. Her son, Lance Cpl. Abram Howard, was a US Marine who proudly followed in the footsteps of many...
Prevention through Education
After 35-years of responding to 911 calls, Gilbert Monroe has a new found passion within the fire service. In his role with Albemarle County Fire Rescue’s Community Risk & Resilience department he is working within...
A Passion For Training
“Almost like a kid some days, if he knew it was a ropes day or he knew it was a water day he would get super excited about that. He enjoyed keeping those skills sharp,”...