CLARKSVILLE, TN − On June 25, the Recovery Court Division of the Montgomery County Adult Probation Department held a graduation ceremony to recognize individuals who completed the program and to celebrate 20 years of providing services. The 20 graduates had a combined total of 7,523 sober days and completed 2,129 hours of community service work.
In addition to the ceremony, the team honored the late Judge Ray Grimes, whose vision inspired the creation of the first drug court operating out of Montgomery County. Grimes led the Recovery Court from the planning and implementation phase in 2004 until his passing in 2020. The team also recognized original team member and advocate, the late William “Bill” Cloud, who served until his passing in 2015. Families for Grimes and Cloud lit candles at the beginning of the ceremony in recognition of the light that continues to shine brightly in the lives of those impacted by their years of committed service.
Following the welcome and ceremony by Recovery Court Judge Sharon Massey Grimes, County Mayor Wes Golden and City Mayor Joe Pitts offered words of encouragement to the graduates. Keynote speaker Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW2) Nick Lavery shared highlights about the graduates, participants, and supporters and spoke about the importance of overcoming obstacles and never giving up…