Photo By Senior Airman Sergio Avalos | Leonard Dotson, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron fire captain, celebrates 36 years of...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – After nearly four decades of unwavering dedication and selfless service, Capt. Leonard Dotson Jr., a distinguished firefighter at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, is bidding farewell to his illustrious career. His retirement marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of courage and commitment that has left an indelible mark on the JB MDL community.
Dotson began his firefighting journey at the Navy Lakehurst Fire Department in 1986, where he spent two years learning about aircraft rescue and firefighting. He later transferred to the Army Support Activity at Fort Dix, becoming a steadfast pillar of the base's firefighting team for the next 20 years.
“My father and I were volunteer firefighters before working for the federal government,” Dotson said. “The ability to help serve my community is what inspired me to pursue and maintain a career as a firefighter for so long.”
Firefighters often rely on each other as a second family, and Dotson was the heart of this close-knit community.
"It's clear that Capt. Dotson sets a great example for all the firefighters [at JB MDL]," said John Courgis, 87th Civil Engineer Group assistant fire prevention chief. "He carries a wealth of knowledge and never hesitates to mentor younger Airmen and his co-workers."
Along with the countless hours of work at JB MDL, Capt. Dotson was deployed for 10 days to the World Trade Center collapse site, along with countless hurricane disasters including Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy.
"Working for the federal government allowed me to obtain training that I would never have received anywhere else," Dotson said. "I carry with me the memories of countless fires fought, lives saved, Airmen mentored and challenges conquered."
| Date Taken: | 09.29.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 10.23.2023 08:00 |
| Story ID: | 456293 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Web Views: | 49 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, JB MDL Bids Farewell to Legacy Fireman, by SrA Sergio Avalos, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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