Paris, Tenn.–A large crowd was on hand in downtown Paris Friday morning for the dedication of the Gold Star Family Memorial Highway.
The resolution, signed by Governor Bill Lee, State Rep. Bruce Griffey of Paris, State Sen. John Stevens of Huntingdon and Speaker of the House Randy McNally, dedicates the segment of Hwy. 79 which goes from the west sore of the Tennessee River at Paris Landing State Park and ending at the boundary of the city of Paris as a Gold Star Family Memorial Highway “to honor the families of the courageous men and women who have lost their lives in service to this country so the people of this country may enjoy many bounties of democracy.”
Speaking at today’s dedication was Commissioner of Veterans’ Affairs Major General Tommy Baker, Henry County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway, Pam Dowd, Chair of the Blue Star/Gold Star Families of Tennessee, Henry County Veterans Services Director Jonathan Bolding.
Unveiling of the marker was performed by Charles and Annette Tinnin, whose mission it is to dedicate as many Gold Star Memorial Highways as they can, and Gretchen Catherwood of Dark Horse Lodge in Paris which is a retreat for servicemen.
If you look up the word passion you might just find the name Charles Tinnin beside it. Charles, a Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and his wife Annette were in Paris on Friday to unveil the Gold Star Memorial Highway marker on the northwest corner of the courthouse lawn. The Tinnins are addoment in their effort to see that highways across the state of Tennessee are identified as Gold Star highways. It takes an action from the state of Tennessee to see that these designations are made. Charles spends countless hours talking with legislators and local government officials to see that due recognition is given to local individuals who have paid the ultimate price with their lives in service to our country. “It bothers me to know end when the hero for our youngsters growing up is a professional athlete or entertainer instead of those who have paid the price to give us our freedom and freedom is not free.”
A few years back the Tinnins moved to Clarksville from Sumner County and had a hard time understanding how there was no Gold Star Memorial Highway recognition in Montgomery County, home of the 101st Air Born. They began with highway 149 in Stewart County. If they had their way every highway in the state of Tennessee would be designated a Gold Star Memorial Highway. Charles would like to see highway 70 from Bristol to Memphis passing through 22 counties to become a Gold Star Memorial Highway. If he is successfull he also would like to see highway 79 from Paris to McKenzie to receive the same recognition.
Top photo: from left, Charles and Annette Tinnin, Gretchen Catherwood and John Penn Ridgeway. Photo by David Jackson.
Bottom photos by April Moore.
