Eugene T Simionescu (“Dingo) – US Army
In 1991, Dingo was 17 years old and joined the Army for the first golf war. He served in Assault and Obstacle Platoon for Bravo Company, the 4th Engineers, and a Sapper unit out of Fort Carson, Colorado, from 1992 to 1996.
After that tour, he left the Regular Army for the Reserves in Michigan and served in the 300th Military Police Battalion. In 1999, he learned about the 745th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit out of Camp Grayling, Michigan. He signed his volunteer statement in 2000 and shipped out to EOD school for one year at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. After graduation in 2002, his unit was activated and immediately deployed for 18 months. His unit backstopped deployed EOD units from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Fort Polk, Louisiana, and Fort Hood, Texas. During that time, he was assigned to President George W. Bush protective detail where he learned “Army guys look good in suits”.
His unit of 22 left for Iraq in October of 2003 and returned he with 18 close ‘Brothers’. He spent most of that tour in Baqubah, Diyala province.
In 2004, he received his honorable discharge… the papers arrived on September 11, 2005. After his discharge, he began doing government contracted EOD work until he was hired by the Department of Energy in Aiken, South Carolina. His job there was to develop and execute an EOD program for the new congressionally mandated post 9/11 DOE security structure. In 2008 he joined the Department of Homeland Security Bomb Appraisal Officer program. There, he served out of the Detroit field office as an Explosive Specialist until October 2022.
His proudest achievement of all is that of being a father. He has two sons, both adults, Caleb and Abraham.
Dingo is married to Shelly Maitland who he says “is the strength of my courage, my rest when I am weary, and my love and light in this unforgiving world”.
Dingo’s family comes first but his second passion is the ‘Brotherhood’ of fellow combat veterans. His favorite thing to do in the whole world is to ride with Foundation 14… a foundation that raises money and provides motorcycles for Veterans. He helps 14 every chance he gets. He supports numerous organizations like; Downriver For Veterans, Bikes and Battle Buddies, the Bedford Township Veteran Center, Operation Injured Soldier, Bucket List Dreams for Veterans, and appreciates and supports all of the great motorcycle clubs across the state. He states that “it is my fellow combat Veterans, my brothers and sisters, who keep me motivated and moving forward.
Bucket List Dreams was established to recognize and appreciate great, inspirational Americans… the people who step and serve in the US Military. Dingo is one of those people. We learned of him through a member of his ‘Brotherhood’ and felt compelled to do something for this fine man. Dingo and his wife will be going on an all expense paid trip to Beaver Island for a fall retreat… ‘a beautiful place for two beautiful people’.
Thank you Dingo for your service and your enduring commitment to your ‘Brotherhood’.
