Herb and Jimmy hang out

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Colleen arrives to the proceedings fashionably late; Dallas Mayor Leppert schmoozes in the background

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Colleen, Herb and Joan: happy together

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Herb poses with family

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Herb and namesake

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Herb confers with Lt. Calvin Spann, a Tuskegee Airman

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Talk about your overflow crowds: I'm surprised they didn't seat a party in the Apollo 7 command module

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For those of us seated on the far wings, video displays were provided so we could follow along on the center stage action. DMN business columnist Cheryl Hall does MC duties.

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"Love" was the evening's theme. Well, one of 'em. Eating, drinking and being merry were right up there, too.

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Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison rubs elbows with Lisa Schnitzer before her presentation

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Texas Governor Rick Perry converses earnestly with event PR chief Farris Rookstool III

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Ken Schnitzer, whose Park Place auto dealerships served as presenting sponsor of the evening's gala tribute event, makes a few comments while Gov. Perry listens in

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Dr. Kenneth Cooper attempts to explain why - despite everything - Herb is still alive

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Hugh McElroy, event chair (along with his wife, Judy), is CEO and Pres. of Dallas Airmotive

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Jan Collmer takes the stage to introduce Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison

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Senator Hutchison had some interesting things to say about the newly-relaxed Wright Amendment, and Southwest's leadership in its dismantlement

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Herb and Joan, delighted by the proceedings

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(No, Gov. Perry, don't do it... leave that bourbon alone, I'm telling you. It belongs to Herb.)

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Gary C. Kelly, currently CEO and Chairman of the Board of Southwest Airlines (succeeding Herb Kelleher, who stepped down on May 21) and soon-to-be President - when Colleen's contract expires on July 15.

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Gary introduces the man of the evening himself, commenting that "some of us have been looking forward more than others to Herb's retirement."

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Ever the showman, Herb soon had the audience in stitches

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Stay tuned for the Herb and Jimmy show!

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In the words of a fellow photographer, "they really ought to take it on the road."

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The boys don commemorative flight jackets

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A toast to good friends

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Colleen is finally coaxed onto the stage

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Colleen also received a commemorative flight jacket - this one bearing an original Yellow Submarine logo

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The tribute ended with a performance by the Fab Four - and Colleen

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