'They Don't Quit' – Friend of Late Firefighter Billy Warneke, Brother to Navy SEAL

One of the Arizona firefighters who died Sunday is a retired Marine whose brother prepared in Coronado to be a Navy SEAL.

Billy Warneke, 25, had only been a part of the crew, which lost 19 members, since April, according to the Los Angeles Times. His first child is due in December.
USA Today reports that he was deployed to Iraq as a Marine.

According to NBCSanDiego, his brother spent time in Coronado during training to become a SEAL. In a story by the Valley Chronicle out of Hemet, their hometown, Billy Warneke praised his brother when Fred Warneke earned his SEAL trident.

“As long as I can remember, Fred wanted to be a SEAL,” he said in the report. “I never thought he would ring out because I know how much he wanted it and he would never forgive himself if he did. It was his dream.” 

A high school ROTC instructor said the brothers were both equally mentally tough and prepared for particularly challenging assignments.

“Both Billy and Fred had the mentality of being part of special operations, no matter what branch of the military they went into. They're scrappy - they don't quit. My hat's off to their parents who made them strong-minded and physically strong,” he said.

SEALs are well known for their arduous training and top-secret assignments. Hotshot crews also are uniquely skilled. They are tasked with tackling the toughest of rural wildfires. 

The family is dedicated to public service. In addition to Billy's and Fred's military stints, a sister is in the Coast Guard, according to USA Today.