Dunkin' and BARK Launch Doggie Drive-Thru in Quincy for National Dog Day

Q: What drove a Hollywood star to quietly honor a fallen Boston hero who secretly volunteered for his foundation?

Gary Sinise was moved by Robert “Bobby” Kilduff Jr.’s life of service and by a personal connection: Kilduff had quietly volunteered with the Gary Sinise Foundation. Sinise’s Boston visit was not a publicity stop so much as an act of respect for someone he viewed as one of the foundation’s own. In public tributes, Sinise said Kilduff “dedicated his life to serving others” and described it as meaningful to spend time with the firefighters and families who knew him and continue that same mission. That fits the foundation’s long-running focus on supporting first responders, service members, veterans, and their families. Kilduff’s background helps explain why Sinise singled him out. He was a 53-year-old third-generation Boston firefighter, a 24-year veteran of the department, a member of Rescue Company 2, and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He died in May after falling from a third-story window while battling a three-alarm fire in Dorchester, becoming the first Boston firefighter killed in the line of duty in more than a decade. Those closest to Kilduff said he volunteered and helped others without seeking recognition. His son said that included work “as large as the Gary Sinise Foundation,” while his partner described him as a “humble giver” who did not want credit. Sinise’s quiet firehouse visit mirrored that spirit: honoring a fallen firefighter not just for how he died, but for how he lived.

Q: How will Boston firefighters immortalize the legacy of the first colleague they lost in over a decade?

Boston firefighters plan to immortalize Robert “Bobby” Kilduff Jr.’s legacy with a permanent memorial inside his fire station. Coverage of the aftermath of Kilduff’s death says his fellow firefighters at Rescue Company 2, the Roxbury-based unit where he served, intend to create a lasting tribute within the station. The memorial is meant to honor a 24-year veteran, Marine Corps veteran, and third-generation Boston firefighter who became the department’s first line-of-duty death in more than a decade after falling from a third-story window while battling a Dorchester fire in May. The planned station memorial adds to a broader effort to preserve Kilduff’s memory. He has already been honored through a large public funeral, remarks from city and union leaders, recognition of his service to the community, and tributes from figures such as Gary Sinise, who noted Kilduff’s volunteer work with the Gary Sinise Foundation. For Boston firefighters, the permanent memorial inside Rescue 2 appears to be the most direct way they will ensure Kilduff remains part of daily firehouse life, remembered not only as a fallen colleague but as a mentor, union leader, father, and firefighter known for serving others.

2 articles · Updated · The Boston Globe · Aug 27

Quincy's Dunkin' at 588 Washington St. hosted a dog-focused drive-thru Wednesday, with Dunkin' and BARK turning the site into a National Dog Day event.
Dogs that came through received treats and bandanas, while visitors could also take home BARK x Dunkin' plush toys.
A donation to Dunkin's Joy in Childhood Foundation was tied to the toy giveaway, adding a charitable element to the one-day promotion.