Photo By Lance Cpl. Samantha H. Arrington | Lance Cpl. Daniel C. Dawson, an aircraft rescue and fire fighting specialist with...... read more read more
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MCALF BOGUE, N.C. - For one small town Marine, the dream of becoming a firefighter never wavered.
At age 21 and among the youngest ever named Marine Corps Firefighter of the Year in 2011, one can say that Lance Cpl. Daniel C. Dawson, an aircraft rescue and fire fighting specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, made his dream come true.
The Checotah, Okla., native was 16 years old when his fire fighting dreams began.
“I started cruising by the local fire department. It caught my eye seeing what the guys did,” said Dawson. “I talked to them and they told me to come back at 17 to start volunteering, so I did.”
Dawson said he tries to be the best Marine and firefighter possible and his passion for what he does makes it easy.
“My favorite part is saving lives,” said Dawson. “If you love what you do, you’ll never work another day again in your life.”
Dawson competed against more than 900 other Marines to be named Firefighter of the Year.
Winning the award is judged on performance on and off duty.
“My civilian fire side really helped out,” said Dawson. “My master sergeant said that it was crazy I was being submitted for the award because I’m a lance corporal. Most Marines nominated are corporals and sergeants.”
Dawson is stationed at Marine Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue. In August he will travel to the Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services Awards ceremony in Denver to compete with the other military branches for the title of “DOD Firefighter of the Year.”
“I believe he’s the first lance corporal and the youngest ever to win this award,” said Staff Sgt. Benjamin A. Parmele, Dawson’s section leader at MWSS-271. “On top of that, he’s also the first to win this award in our squadron. I am immensely impressed and proud.”
Dawson linked his fire fighting dreams with a life in the Corps in 2010. A conversation with a close family member sealed the deal.
“My sister was a Marine and Harrier mechanic,” said Dawson. “She’s the one who told me about crash crew. I figured I’d get my fire fighting certificates and serve my country as well. It worked out.”
Dawson may be the second Marine in his family, but he is the first firefighter.
“My dad was all about it and Mom was scared because she worries about me running into burning buildings, but it’s what I love to do, so she copes with it,” said Dawson. “She’s happy for me and she supports me.”
Dawson volunteers with the local civilian department and rarely takes a day off.
“I mostly stick to the grind,” he said. “I haven’t’ slept in since I went back home on leave December of last year.”
Above all, Dawson enjoys what he does and said because of the long hours he spends at the fire stations, he views the Marines and firefighters as family.
Fellow Marine, Cpl. Alexander J. Stead, spoke highly of Dawson and said he doesn’t see how he finds the time to volunteer so often. Stead describes Dawson as a hard worker and one of the best firefighters he knows.
Although his passion for his job persists, Dawson said he will cut back his hours soon and is looking forward to extending his family.
“I’m getting married June 2 and ... I’ll be spending a lot more of my off time with her,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons I went so gung ho, because I know ... I’ll have to cut back.”
| Date Taken: | 05.10.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.17.2012 08:35 |
| Story ID: | 88551 |
| Location: | MCALF BOGUE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 358 |
| Downloads: | 6 |
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