Rogers honors fire department's 104th in congressional record
by Brian Graves
June 6, 2024
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers visited members of the Oxford Fire Department on Thursday, June 6, to pay them a personal honor on the occasion of the department’s 140th anniversary.
Rogers presented Fire Chief Gary Sparks with a framed copy of the Congressional Record showing his remarks about the department to his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In those remarks, Rogers recounted much of the department’s history and how it evolved from a volunteer service on May 18, 1884, to one staffed with full-time professionals. It also thanks those who served and now serve “for their tireless service.”
“The 140th anniversary of the fire department is pretty special,” Rogers said. “I appreciate what you do. My dad was a firefighter, and when he left every day, we didn’t know if he was coming back or not. That was just part of it.”
Rogers said those working for the fire department “always put themselves at risk for their community’s sake, and we appreciate you more than you know.”