DYERSBURG, Tenn. — The annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service hosted by the Dyersburg Fire Department each of the last five years is primarily a time set aside to honor the three DFD firefighters that paid the ultimate sacrifice. However, city officials, residents and firefighters attending Friday’s memorial service unknowingly were given an opportunity to honor one of their own for his years of dedication and service as Fire Chief Bob Veal announced that he would be retiring effective immediately after 38 years at the department.
Veal dropped a bomb at the end of the service, abruptly announcing his retirement effective immediately. Veal spoke to a crowd of about 30 for approximately seven minutes, closing out the annual ceremony with the following remarks:
“It’s been a good ceremony, it has been a good day, but if you don’t mind, mayor (John Holden), I’m going to say some things. “I’m gonna, I’m going to retire.
Full story: Dyersburgh Fire Chief Veal retires after 38 years of service