Trailblazer of Firefighting History | Winston–Salem News

At 104, retired Sgt. Robert Grier — one of the first Black firefighters in Winston-Salem and a member of the groundbreaking “Original 8” from 1951 — passed away, leaving behind a legacy of courage that shattered racial barriers in firefighting. A WWII veteran and North Carolina A&T graduate, Grier served three decades with the department before retiring. Battalion Chief Desmond Teal, who saw him as a grandfather, called the “Original 8” trailblazers who carried the weight of their community’s future on their shoulders. Grier’s life was one of unwavering service and perseverance, opening doors for generations to come. A funeral service honoring his life will be held Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/41406103ef5cde03