Have you ever wondered what kind of person can run into a burning building to rescue total strangers, somebody’s pet, or a scared child hiding in a closet; to care so deeply about their safety to disregard his or her own? I had the opportunity to meet a retired firefighter recently. He is tough as a bull, the mindset of a warrior, and a soul of the angels he carries on his back. And even though he is retired, is actively trying to save lives. Not in his firefighter uniform but in a way he never thought he could.

In 2017 this retired firefighter was asked to help a brother in need diagnosed with cancer. Let me be clear on this, the cancer this man had was a direct result of his job. This strong-willed bull of a man spent the last days of his fire hood brother’s life caring for him only to learn right before his brother’s passing that he would be leaving his family in financial debt and was embarrassed that he spent all those many years in a courageous job only to be kicked to the curb when his cancer diagnosis was given. With no resources, many families not only lose their loved ones but the financial security they relied upon for their years of service.

The bull of a man began to ask around, talked to others in the brotherhood community. He learned the raw truth that the life he thought was a personal struggle only he knew was a struggle in a community of silent men and women. The fear of cancer and the high rate of suicide for first responders lays heavy on their minds. Never voicing their fears to each other, whether it be physical, emotional, or financial.

This sparked the “March of the Bull.” https://twitter.com/thebullhill89 Tom “Bull” Hill began his journey from the “0” mile marker in Key West to the steps of the Capitol Building in Tallahassee, Florida. He walked alone for most of the miles through the Keys, feeling discouraged and overwhelmed he kept his promise to his brothers and kept moving. #Keepingshakeyspromise.

Bull’s journey was met with opposition. He was told to leave it alone. He is not the kind of person that follows the rules. Even though they were working on making the Presumptive Cancer Law; Bull knew had to pass for his fellow firefighters to receive the care and benefits they are entitled to.

He kept walking with the 87 shields, badges, and names of lost firefighters on a single backpack. Along his way, he was given shields from others that heard of his journey through social media. Family members met Bull and told him their story, thanked him for his strength and courage, and gave them the one possession that touched Bull's heart, their shields.