Someone mentioned this a while back, and posted a Q re what it was/signified.
This is what I found out so far..... bearing in mind that you can't beleive everything you read. But seems plausible enough.
" Newsgroups: alt.scottish.clans
Date: 2000/07/21
For those of you who were asking about the Honour of being commissioned
a Kentucky Colonel:
The highest honour awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky is a
commission appointing a person as an Kentucky Colonel. The Colonels are
Kentucky's ambassadors of goodwill and fellowship around the world.
Commissions for Kentucky Colonels are awarded by the Governor and the
Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of their noteworthy
accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the
nation.
This tradition began in 1813 during the second term of Governor Isaac
Shelby, when he bestowed the title of Colonel to his son-in-law, Charles
S. Todd, a member of his staff. Shelby later issued commissions to all
who enlisted in his regiment in the War of 1812. Later, Governors
commissioned colonels to act as their protective guard; they wore
uniforms and were present at most official functions. (Today's Colonels
are not required to perform such service.) Other Governors continued
this practice and by 1932 their numbers had grown considerably.
Astronaut John Glen was commissioned a colonel while in orbit!
In 1932, under the direction of then Governor Ruby Laffoon, "Honorable
Order" was added to the name to reflect the honorary status of its
members. The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels incorporated as a
charitable organization and by-laws were written to designate the
organization as non-partisan, non-profit and dedicated to good works
within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Over the years, the Colonels have
contributed thousands of dollars to worthy causes. In 1995, the Good
Works Program Fund made grants totaling $1,151,000 to 159 charitable and
educational organizations in Kentucky and seven other states bordering
Kentucky whose services assist Kentuckians. It marked the sixth
consecutive year grants of at least one million
dollars had been made.
The Governor and the Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky serve as the
Commander-in-chief and Deputy Commander-in-Chief respectively to the
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. All officers serve with no
remuneration. Kentucky Colonels are nominated by organizations, groups
and individuals to the Office of the Governor. Under state law, each
Governor can present only a certain number of commissions each year. The
title is honorary, but with it comes respect from the state's military,
law enforcement and community service organizations to its holders.
Nominees must be Kentucky citizens by birth or adoption as certified by
the Secretary of State.
Kentucky Colonels can be found in business, government and industry all
over the globe. They can be found in public and private life. Several
entertainers, among them Bob Hope, Lee Majors, the members of the band
Exile, Lily Tomlin and Paul Shafer have been honoured with this special
recognition. John James Audobon, Kentucky's national environmentalist
and nature painter, has also been honoured with this special award as
well as selected leaders and citizens all over the Commonwealth.
--
Colonel Charles R. Kaiser
Clan MacNeil in Canada Web Services
http://clanmacneil.ca"
Wow, thanks for the info. I wonder when LM was given this honor?
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Replying to:
Someone mentioned this a while back, and posted a Q re what it was/signified.
This is what I found out so far..... bearing in mind that you can't beleive everything you read. But seems plausible enough.
" Newsgroups: alt.scottish.clans
Date: 2000/07/21
For those of you who were asking about the Honour of being commissioned
a Kentucky Colonel:
The highest honour awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky is a
commission appointing a person as an Kentucky Colonel. The Colonels are
Kentucky's ambassadors of goodwill and fellowship around the world.
Commissions for Kentucky Colonels are awarded by the Governor and the
Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of their noteworthy
accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the
nation.
This tradition began in 1813 during the second term of Governor Isaac
Shelby, when he bestowed the title of Colonel to his son-in-law, Charles
S. Todd, a member of his staff. Shelby later issued commissions to all
who enlisted in his regiment in the War of 1812. Later, Governors
commissioned colonels to act as their protective guard; they wore
uniforms and were present at most official functions. (Today's Colonels
are not required to perform such service.) Other Governors continued
this practice and by 1932 their numbers had grown considerably.
Astronaut John Glen was commissioned a colonel while in orbit!
In 1932, under the direction of then Governor Ruby Laffoon, "Honorable
Order" was added to the name to reflect the honorary status of its
members. The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels incorporated as a
charitable organization and by-laws were written to designate the
organization as non-partisan, non-profit and dedicated to good works
within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Over the years, the Colonels have
contributed thousands of dollars to worthy causes. In 1995, the Good
Works Program Fund made grants totaling $1,151,000 to 159 charitable and
educational organizations in Kentucky and seven other states bordering
Kentucky whose services assist Kentuckians. It marked the sixth
consecutive year grants of at least one million
dollars had been made.
The Governor and the Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky serve as the
Commander-in-chief and Deputy Commander-in-Chief respectively to the
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. All officers serve with no
remuneration. Kentucky Colonels are nominated by organizations, groups
and individuals to the Office of the Governor. Under state law, each
Governor can present only a certain number of commissions each year. The
title is honorary, but with it comes respect from the state's military,
law enforcement and community service organizations to its holders.
Nominees must be Kentucky citizens by birth or adoption as certified by
the Secretary of State.
Kentucky Colonels can be found in business, government and industry all
over the globe. They can be found in public and private life. Several
entertainers, among them Bob Hope, Lee Majors, the members of the band
Exile, Lily Tomlin and Paul Shafer have been honoured with this special
recognition. John James Audobon, Kentucky's national environmentalist
and nature painter, has also been honoured with this special award as
well as selected leaders and citizens all over the Commonwealth.
--
Colonel Charles R. Kaiser
Clan MacNeil in Canada Web Services
http://clanmacneil.ca"