Kentucky colonel
Kentucky colonel is an
honorary title bestowed upon individuals by approval of the
governor of Kentucky. It is not a
military rank, requires no duties, and carries with it no pay or other compensation other than membership in the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.
The title Kentucky colonel has been around since 1813. When the
Kentucky Militia was deactivated following the
War of 1812, Governor
Isaac Shelby commissioned Charles S. Todd, one of his officers in the campaign, as an
aide-de-camp on the Governor's Staff with the rank and grade of
Colonel. Todd married Shelby's youngest daughter two years later.
Early colonels actually served military roles. In the latter part of the 1800s, the position took on a more ceremonial function. Colonels in uniform attended functions at the Governor's mansion and stood as symbolic guards at state events. By the late 1800s, the title had become more of an
honorary one.
Award of the title requires nomination from an existing colonel. Nominators are expected to consider the nominee's service and contributions to the global community before making a nomination. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The sitting governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky bestows the honor of a Colonel's
Commission, by issuance of a certificate.
After a person receives a
commission they are invited to join the "The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels". This organization is an independent, non-profit corporation. The mission of this organization is to raise money to support needy charities, educational efforts, and other works that will help all citizens of
Kentucky. The organization's good works do not stop at the borders of the Commonwealth. Recently the organization supported
Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, partnering with another organization and contributing $25,000.
A particularly embarrassing incident for the order occurred in the early 1980s when Kentucky journalist Tom Loftus submitted a nomination to the order for his friend's dog Waldo. When Waldo Wecker was accepted into the order, the story received nationwide attention and became a source of amusement on national shows such as
Good Morning America and
Paul Harvey's radio program. Governor
John Y. Brown, Jr., who signed the document granting the honor, received particular ridicule. Both Waldo and Loftus were stripped of the title.
Some of the more famous recipients have been:
*
Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (
KFC)
*
Tom Parker, the manager of
Elvis (both Sanders and Parker wereâ€"and areâ€"often referred to simply as "
The Colonel")
*
Omar Bradley, General of the
United States Army* Sir
Winston Churchill,
KG,
British prime minister*
Joan Crawford, actress
*
Bob Edwards, radio host
*
Gary Gygax, game developer
*
Bob Hope, American entertainer
* Louis Howe,
Franklin D. Roosevelt's advisor
*
Christian Ingebrigtsen,
Norwegian singer-songwriter
* Reverend Peyton of the band
The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band*
Dr. Rajkumar,
Kannada actor, singer, "The King of Acting"
*
Ronald Reagan,
U.S. president* Sir
Ivan Stedeford,
GBE, British industrialist
*
Wilson Edgar Terry, the last Kentucky veteran of the
Spanish-American War *
Dave Thomas, founder of the
Wendy's restaurant chain, and by coincidence, a former KFC manager
*
Mae West, actress and playwright
*
J.D. Wilkes of the band
Th' Legendary Shack Shakers*
Karl Rahner, Roman Catholic theologian
*
The Inspirations,
Southern Gospel quartet
*
Johnny Depp, Actor
An analogous "honor" awarded by the state of
Nebraska is a commission as a
Nebraska admiral.
Another honor similar to the Kentucky colonels is the honor of becoming a Duke or Duchess of Hazard. This honor is given by the city of
Hazard, Kentucky and is derived from the
television show The Dukes of Hazzard.
*
Colonel (title)*
The Kentucky Colonels were a team throughout the existence of the
American Basketball Association.
*
The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels*
Kentucky Secretary of State's site regarding the Order
