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Chief Atkins honored at the VFD during special ceremony

Retired Vicksburg Fire Chief Charles Atkins was once again honored on Friday for his 33 years of service and for being the city’s first black Fire Chief. Atkins, who retired in 2017, had his name placed on one of the aerial trucks during a special ceremony at the Central Fire Station.
“I hope that this was a ceremony of me doing a good job,” Atkins said jokingly. “I thank the department and the Mayor and Board of Alderman for even suggesting something like this because it’s really special.”
Many of Atkins’ friends and family were in attendance, along with elected officials who came to show their gratitude towards the man who worked hard and spent his life in public service.
Earlier in February, the city of Vicksburg honored Atkins for his outstanding career at the VFD, which began in 1984 and ended in 2017. His name will now forever be visible on one of the VFD’s biggest trucks.
“I want to start by thanking Jackie Libby because she was one of the friends who went to the Mayor and asked him to do this, but to all of my friends and family out here, I just want to say thank you,” Atkins said.
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