By Sharonne Hayes

For Billy D. Williams and Frankie Knox, service isn’t something they used to do—it’s something they still live every day. In late March, the two veterans stood side by side once again with their community, knocking on doors in the Reid Park and Ponderosa–Wingate neighborhoods during the American Red Cross ‘Sound the Alarm’ home fire safety event in Charlotte, N.C., just as they had for decades with the Charlotte Fire Department.

Both men know these streets well. Williams, a U.S. Air Force veteran and commander of American Legion Post 262, and Knox, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and hospitality professional with Marriott, are both former longtime Charlotte firefighters who have spent their lives protecting others—first through military service, then through public safety. In late March, through the American Legion and Sound the Alarm, that commitment continues.

“Service didn’t stop when I took the uniform off,” Knox said. “This gives me the opportunity to keep giving back—to stay committed to what I started in the Marine Corps and carried through the fire department.” Standing with Williams, whom he calls a leader, friend, and mentor, Knox serves as the commander’s trusted right hand, helping guide the Legion’s outreach across Charlotte.

In the weeks leading up to the event, Williams and Knox canvassed the neighborhood together—posting flyers, knocking on doors, and reconnecting with residents, some of whom remembered them from their days at Charlotte Fire. “This is the district I worked in,” Williams shared. “Some of the people I met were folks I served years ago. When we told them we’d be back, we meant it.”

That same sense of continuity and shared purpose is what drew the American Red Cross and the American Legion together for Sound the Alarm. For Jason Gudzunas, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Charlotte Metro Area Chapter (CMAC), the partnership is deeply personal.

“I’m a member of the American Legion because my dad served,” Gudzunas said. “Being part of the Legion is a way to honor him and keep his memory alive, but it’s also a way to surround yourself with humble heroes—people who genuinely want to show up for their community.”

As a son of a Vietnam veteran and a Legion member himself, Gudzunas saw how naturally the values of the American Legion aligned with the Red Cross mission—especially through prevention-focused efforts like ‘Sound the Alarm’.

“The partnership with the American Legion just made sense,” he added. “They’re deeply rooted in this community, they have leaders who’ve spent their lives serving others, and their mission aligns perfectly with what we do at the Red Cross. Sometimes it’s not about creating something new—it’s about tying together relationships that already belong together.”

On event day, that alignment came to life. Williams and Knox were joined by partners including the Charlotte Fire Department, Piedmont Natural Gas, and dozens of volunteers. Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson emphasized why that collaboration matters.

“Fire prevention is a core part of our mission,” Johnson said. “Sound the Alarm ensures every home has a working smoke alarm—and education to go with it. That’s how we save lives.”

Johnson also underscored the bond between firefighters past and present. “That firefighter identity never leaves you,” he said, thanking Williams, Knox, and fellow American Legion members for continuing to serve their community long after retirement.

By the end of the day, that shared dedication translated into real impact:

• 68 homes made safer
• 121 smoke alarms installed
• 191 neighbors reached

Why Sound the Alarm Matters

Sound the Alarm is part of the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, focused on preventing home fire injuries and deaths—the most common disaster in the U.S. Through smoke alarm installations, education, and escape planning, the campaign brings lifesaving prevention directly into communities. Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half—proof that simple actions can have profound outcomes.

Service Beyond the Uniform

Founded in 1919, The American Legion exists to serve veterans, their families, and the communities they call home. Posts like Charlotte’s Post 262 offer veterans continued purpose and connection—creating space to lead, to mentor, and to keep serving together. For Williams and Knox, that mission mirrors a lifetime of public service rooted in trust, consistency, and care.