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Two of Vicksburg’s finest promoted at pinning ceremony
A pinning ceremony was held at the Vicksburg Fire Department Training Center on Old Mill Road Wednesday afternoon. A large crowd of supporters including family, firefighters, elected officials and city employees packed the main room of the facility.
Promoted were 14-year veteran Alfred Patton to Captain and 12-year veteran Kimani Ratliff to Lieutenant. Patton was promoted to Lieutenant in 2019. In 2018, Ratliff was FireFighter of the Year by the Vicksburg Homecoming Benevolent.
The pinning ceremony began with Deputy Fire Chief Jessica Cade welcoming everyone and opening the ceremony. Chief Trey Martin added a few words and thanked the large crowd for attending. Anne Doyle gave a stirring and perfect acapella of the National Anthem and Courtney Reed offered a prayer.
Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs addressed the room offering thanks and congratulations. “Thank you to the family too for sharing them with us,” empathized Flaggs. “We can never pay you what you’re worth. We will never take our firemen for granted. We salute you and honor you for your service”
Alderman Michael Mayfield offered words of wisdom, saying, “Don’t ever be satisfied with where you are unless you’re at the top. Put yourself in a position where we can’t deny you.” The Alderman went on to say, “When I’m running from it, y’all are running to it.”
Chief Derrick Stamps then spoke saying, “The men and women who make up the VFD are among some of the bravest. We are the real one-call that’s all service.”
Alfred Patton was called forth and pinned first by his aunt, Rosie Harris. Next, Kimani Ratliff was pinned by his fiance, Kathy Trueheart. They both spoke briefly thanking their co-workers, family, and friends. Daniel Moulder closed the ceremony with a prayer.
When asked about the ceremony, Ratliff said, “I’m excited about the opportunity going forward. This feels really, really good.”
Captain Patton spoke and said, “I feel very honored that all my family and friends and co-workers came out and join me on this day.” When asked if he ever thought he would be a Captain, Patton replied, “Yes. That was the goal from day 1. Actually, I hope I’ll be Chief one day.”
