In 2001, William Hayes was an FDNY firefighter with Ladder Company 45 and an active-duty Army National Guardsman. On 9/11, he arrived at the World Trade Center site shortly after the North Tower had collapsed. Hayes remained at Ground Zero for three straight days before returning home to Rockland County, NY. He proceeded to participate in the recovery effort for an additional month, alternating between his overlapping roles as a firefighter and military servicemember during that same time.  

Hayes deployed to Afghanistan with the National Guard in 2007 as an E-8 Ground Safety Manager. He carried this small folded American flag with him during his service.