Both Pat (Patti, as I knew her through high school) and Jim Henry were totally surprised at the huge turnout Thursday evening, at the Princess "gala" thrown to honor their services to our community and the State of Tennessee. It was a well deserved tribute after a career of public service spanning 45 years. He and Pat have served Kingston, Roane County, and Tennessee in some capacity since they married shortly after Jim got home from Vietnam in 1971.
All the proceeds from ticket sales for the "gala" went to the Princess Theatre Foundation. Jim was also very instrumental in getting the Princess Theatre restoration off the ground. He is a member of the Foundation board and has worked behind the scenes since 2009, to ensure the Foundation had the resources and influence where needed to continue the project.
The party began around 5PM across the street from the Princess; in what most of us older folks remember as the "pool hall". That building has also been nicely renovated and it turned out to be the ideal spot for the gala's "meet and greet". It was once again filled with people from all over the county, all of whom owe a debt of gratitude, in one way or other, to the Henry's.
 |
| Music provided my Crawdaddy Crawley and Tall Paul! |
The evening primarily honored the couple's community service, but also recognized all Veterans, all community servants, and especially their son John Henry; who was the catalysis for Jim and Pat's advocacy for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Jim saw it for the first time as a chance for someone to be an advocate for children with disabilities, adults with disabilities, and children who were raised under terrible circumstances to have a place at the table at the top where they needed to be forever.
Here is the evening in photographs:
 |
| Dr. Chris Whaley |
 |
| CUB SCOUT TROOP FROM ROANE AND MORGAN COUNTIES |
 |
| Emery Francis Sings The National Anthem |
 |
| Bill Landry (Emcee) |
 |
| Muse Watson Honors Jim Henry And Reads "The Dream" |
 |
| BILL SHANNON SINGS HIS OWN COMPOSITION TITILED “FORGOTTEN SOLDIER.” |
 |
| OAKDALE CHOIR SINGS “AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL” |
 |
| Midtown Elementary Choir |
 |
| MIKE MCELHINNEY, PRES AND CEO OF THE MICHAEL DUNN CENTER |
 |
| John Henry - An Inspiration To Us All |
 |
| OAKDALE BLUE GRASS BAND SINGS “THERE IS A TIME" |
 |
| MUSE WATSON READS “INCLUSION” ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN |
 |
| KATHY MARTIN FROM COLDWELL BANKER |
 |
| LEE KRIBBS, CEO OF OMNI VISION |
 |
| DR. ERIC LITTLETON PLAYS "TENNESSEE WALTZ", "LAST DANCE", AND "JESUS LOVES ME" |
 |
| Muse Watson, kneels and surprises Pat Henry with boutique of flowers! |
 |
| All on stage to sing "We Are The World" while holding hands! |
We are blessed to have such people in our community to ensure the "right things" get done. Thanks to Pat and Jim Henry, and to all that "do the right thing!"
.jpg){kind=logo}
