Legacy of Service Lives On: Crafton Cadet Honored with Michael Orland Memorial Scholarship
Publish Date: May 5, 2026
On Tuesday, May 5, Crafton Hills College honored a legacy of courage, service, and perseverance as Margie Orland stood before a new generation of fire academy cadets to present the Michael Orland Memorial Scholarship to Walter Giles.
The moment was both a tribute and a continuation—one life’s work carried forward through another’s determination.
Michael Orland dedicated his career to mentoring hundreds of academy cadets and firefighters, instilling in them a commitment to service above self. Known for his leadership in fire service and his tireless efforts to raise funds for meaningful causes, Orland left an imprint that extended far beyond the fire line. After his passing in September 2021 at the age of 54, his family ensured that his legacy would endure by establishing a scholarship in his name—one that recognizes cadets who embody the very qualities he lived by: courage, perseverance, tenacity, and humility.
Each year, the Orland family reviews essays from aspiring firefighters, searching not for just achievement but for character. They look for individuals who have faced adversity, who give back to their communities, and who carry a quiet, unwavering determination—a “don’t quit” attitude rooted in selflessness and service to their community.
This year, they found those qualities in Walter Giles.
At 32 years old, Giles represents the resilience the scholarship was created to honor. A father to his 9-year-old son, Owen, Giles entered the fire academy to not only transform his own life but to build a future his son could be proud of. What began as a conversation with a firefighter friend while working at a snowboard shop became a defining turning point that set him on an unrelenting path toward the fire service.
His journey, however, has been difficult.
Giles first enrolled in the academy as part of Class 112 but was forced to withdraw after a serious shoulder injury required surgery and nearly a year of recovery. Undeterred, he fought his way back—physically and mentally—to rejoin the academy in Class 114. Just weeks into his return, he faced another devastating loss: the death of his father, whom he had cared for during his final months.
Amid his grief, financial strain, housing uncertainty, and the demands of both fatherhood and a new job in emergency services, Giles chose to keep going.
“I do not believe I have the right to give up,” he shared in his application. “I remain committed to being the best cadet I can be.”
That commitment has defined his journey. Whether serving patients as an ambulance operator with the Running Springs Fire Department, pushing through the physical demands of academy training, or striving to be a present and supportive father, Giles continues to embody the resilience and character the scholarship seeks to recognize.
For him, the goal is clear: to rise through the ranks of the fire service and one day become a battalion chief. But beyond titles, his motivation remains deeply personal—coming home in uniform and seeing pride reflected in his son’s eyes.
The Michael Orland Memorial Scholarship is more than financial support; it is a recognition of spirit. It honors those who persist through hardship, who lead with humility, and who serve others even when their own burdens are heavy.
In Walter Giles, that spirit is unmistakable.
As Margie Orland presented the scholarship, she wasn’t just honoring a cadet—she was affirming that Michael Orland’s legacy continues to live on in those who choose courage, who refuse to quit, and who dedicate their lives to serving something greater than themselves.
