Toddler Receives Medal For His Firefighter Dad Who Died Fighting The Australian Bushfires

“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.” – Norman Schwarzkopf

Almost 18 people have lost their lives to the Australia bushfires and while the efforts to bring the situation under control is still going on, a few brave firefighters also lost their lives in the line of duty.

Harvey Keaton, a 19 month-old toddler son of a firefighter who was killed in Australia’s bushfire, received a bravery medal on behalf of his father on Thursday during the funeral services.

An Australian firefighter’s son collecting his father’s medal of honor at his funeral 😭
These bushfires are horrid, but the aussie spirit remains ♥️🖤🇦🇺
To those that risk their lives for us every day, we say thank you 🙏🔥 pic.twitter.com/2zzdCNhAd3
— Karma Doll #ShinodaSquad 🇦🇺 (@KarmaDoll77) January 2, 2020

The toddler was seen wearing a firefighter’s outfit and a pacifier in his mouth while receving the medal from New South Wales (NSW) Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.

According to the Mirror, Geoffrey Keaton, the toddler’s father and his collegue Andrew O’Dwyer died last month battling the bushfire in Australia. They were killed after a tree fell on their vehicle, causing it to overturn.

The toddler son of a volunteer firefighter who was killed battling wildfires in Australia received one of the service’s highest honors on behalf of his father https://t.co/nrvUodBNLj pic.twitter.com/sZ9tzyhUUA
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 2, 2020

People on social media were left teary-eyed after seeing these heart-warming pictures that went viral on all social media platforms.

Great minds don’t fight for self but for https://t.co/rmACrCU9mC mortals.
— Daniel (@Chyk77daniel) January 2, 2020

This is so sad.
— Lorena Marques (@ldmmNYC) January 2, 2020

Poor boy, little he understand now but will grow up realising his dad was a hero .
— green plant (@Electronzeez) January 2, 2020

My heart goes out to the little boy.
So so so sad.
— Aunty Peesha (@AuntyPeesha) January 2, 2020

Painfully sad 😭😭
— Joseph Placid (@jplacid) January 2, 2020

May their souls rest in peace!

More than 13 million acres of land has been burnt and almost 1,500 homes have been destroyed in NSW state alone, since September due to the bushfires.

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