Annual Salvation Army breakfast honors Vicksburg/Warren County first responders

VICKSBURG, MS. – Each year since 2002, a collaborative team of community volunteers and the Salvation Army honor the first responders of our city with the Annual Salvation Army First Responder’s Breakfast. This morning’s breakfast served close to 95 of the many firefighters, police, deputies, paramedics, 911 call operators, and all the others who serve Vicksburg and Warren County. For those who were still on call or duty, to go plates were made available.

“Some had to take it to go and get on to work, and some who had a little bit of time, came in, sat down and took a break and were able to fellowship with each other,” said Salvation Army Major Janna Torgerson, “It was really good to see.”

Torgerson was thankful for the volunteers and employees for decorating the dining hall, as well donating and cooking the food for the annual Salvation Army breakfast.

“This is impossible without my auxiliary, because they run it. They do the leg work, they do food prep, and they serve the food,” said Torgerson.

A day of remembrance

September 11 has become a day of not only remembrance of the tragic loss of life on that fateful day, but it is also a time where we are reminded of the role and sacrifice made by the first responders on that day and everyday.

“It is an appreciation that they absolutely deserve,” said Torgerson, “They put their physical health, they put their mental health, they put their very lives on the line for us every single day at every shift.”

Mississippi House of Representative Oscar Denton who is also Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Vicksburg Salvation Army is grateful for what he called “just a small part” in honoring our first responders with the annual Salvation Army breakfast.

“It’s great to do something for the first responders. They are the ones that are on the front line, they’re the ones that when you’ve got an emergency. That’s who you call first. It’s always great to give back to them,” said Denton, “We just love them, and appreciate them so much for putting their lives on the line for our community. I know we take our firefighters, EMS, and police for granted, but they are the ones that run to danger, when we call them.”