By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–In presenting Paris Fire Chief Michael Williams Sr. with the Drum Major for Justice Award Monday evening, Brother Andre Richardson said, “I’m so excited to give you this award. And I’m hoping the strong young men out there can see your example and walk in your shoes.”
Williams has been with the Paris Fire Department since 1984, moving through the ranks from journeyman firefighter to Lieutenant, Captain, Fire Marshal, and then Fire Chief since 2008.
A Henry County High School and University of Tennessee at Martin graduate, he retired from the military in 2015 as a Master Sergeant and had five years of active Army and 30 years in the Army National Guard as a mechanic, MP and construction engineer.
Williams has been active on the Henry County 911 board, Commander of American Legion Post #164 since 2015 and is a Master Mason, Shriner and 32nd Degree Mason.
Richardson said, “I thank you for the leadership you’ve shown in our community.”
Keynote speaker at the program was retiring Circuit Court Judge Donald Parish, who spoke of how great the need for unity is now.
Parish is retiring after 16 years on the bench and 42 years in the practice of law or as a judge.
He spoke of the eloquence and bravery of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the examples he set for society and noted, “Racism or the fear of other people are moral evils” and unfortunately “are nothing new”.
In today’s climate, he said, there is plenty to trouble us, “but we’ve all been here before”. It’s time for people to reject the premise of racism and accept the premise of Dr. King, who said a man should be judged not by the color of his skin but by the content of their character.
“It works best when our leaders…speak to the country’s hopes rather than their fears,” he said, adding that he is worried about how young people are being raised and the influences they are surrounded by today.
“I’m troubled that the traditional mores are losing their influence in America…and in the local community,” Judge Parish said. “People should feel shame and embarrassment” about acting and talking ugly to one another. Bigotry, he said, is ugly, “plain and simple”.
It is discouraging, he said, that the struggle for civil liberties for all continues today. “For good people to remain silent is not a virtue.”
Judge Parish was introduced to the audience by Henry County Grand Jury foreman Terry Fuller, Circuit Court Clerk Mike Wilson and General Sessions Judge Vicki Snyder, who all spoke of his fairness and Christian virtues.
Emcee for the evening was Pastor Thomas Taylor or the Union Grove Baptist Church.