Official emblem of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

History

The title Kentucky colonel has been around since 1813.^[1] 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.^[1] 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.

Good works

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.^[2]

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.^[3] 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.

Notable colonels

Some of the more famous recipients include:

• Muhammed Ali, professional boxer^[4]
• Fred Astaire, entertainer^[5]
• Omar Bradley, General of the Army (United States)^[6]
• Eddie Cantor, entertainer^[6]
• Winston Churchill, prime minister of the United Kingdom^[7]
• Bill Clinton, U.S. president
• Joan Crawford, actress
• Stephen Foster, composer (awarded posthumously)^[6]
• Clark Gable, actor^[6]
• John Glenn, astronaut, U.S. senator^[4]
• Bob Hope, entertainer^[6]
• Pope John Paul II^[6]
• Lyndon B. Johnson, U.S. president^[7]
• Ashley Judd, actress, activist
• Gene Markey, Hollywood screenwriter, producer, author, and U.S. Navy officer
• Irving Mills, jazz music publisher^[5]
• Will Rogers, humorist^[6]
• Harland Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (often referred to simply as "The Colonel")^[6]
• Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's restaurant chain
• Hunter S. Thompson, author
• Mae West, actress and playwright^[6]

References

Sources

• Carl Edwin Lindgren. Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels (February/March 2001). Il Mondo del Cavaliere, Vol. I, No. 1, p. 14. ISSN 1592 1425.

External links

• Official website of The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
• Kentucky Secretary of State's site regarding the Order

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