Kentucky Colonel (Honorable Title)

Kentucky Colonel and a Statesman. Thanking the Colonel for his "Deeds of Service with an Honorable Title" based on his work to form the Government.

Kentucky Colonel is the greatest title of authority and highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky; it is the most well-known of a number of civilian colonelcies granted by United States governors under common-law. A Kentucky Colonel Commission (the paper certificate) is awarded in the name of the Commonwealth by the Governor to individuals with "Honorable" titular style recognition preceding the names of civilians, for noteworthy accomplishments, contributions to civil society, remarkable deeds, or outstanding service to the community, state, or a nation. The Governor of Kentucky bestows the honorable title with a colonelcy commission, by issuance of letters patent under "Common Law" upon nomination by another Kentucky colonel, or by being recognized with the "Honorable Title" directly by the Governor upon the recommendation of another.

Many famous and noteworthy people have received commissions and been recognized as Kentucky colonels. The award is distributed indiscriminately to people from many walks of life based on their actions and deeds; it does not matter what race, religion, sex, or socioeconomic status a person has, and anyone 18 years of age or older can be recommended to become a Kentucky colonel based on their deeds. It was widely understood in throughout the 20th century that, "if you could be recognized as a Kentucky colonel then you could do anything." A person who is recognized as a Kentucky Colonel or obliged to the idea of using the honorable title styling of 'Col.' is reciprocally acknowledged in being officially known by the state as the goodwill ambassador of Kentucky culture, folklore, traditions and values.

It was not until 2020 when a legal historic origin and source of the Kentucky Colonel were revealed and presented in the US District Court in Louisville, Kentucky as irrefutable evidence in a trademark infringement lawsuit between The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels vs. Kentucky Colonels International, et. al. (sponsoring entities and other Kentucky colonels) represented by Col. David J. Wright of Madison County. Wright a colonel from Governor Patton's Administration in 1996, demonstrated in his Answer and a Motion for Declaratory Judgement evidence proving that the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels history of 1813 and 1931 were effectually fictional (false) and that their commanding structure using generals was not official or in any way or connected to the state. He demonstrated that his colonelcy was real, whereas nearly the entire history of the HOKC was fake and representative of the Knights of Pythias. The new history introduced by Col. Wright actually places the origin of Kentucky Colonelcy in 1775 with Col. Daniel Boone representing the First Kentucky Colonel. Based on the presentation of this evidence the lawsuit against Col. Wright and his group was settled and the charges were withdrawn by the HOKC and dismissed by the US District Court with prejudice.

Intellectual Property

From a legal perspective a "Kentucky Colonel" (the person) is created and originated when "letters patent" are bestowed upon them with the "Honorable Title" with a "Colonel" Commission in common-law based on the presentation of their "Deeds" to the Governor or one of "his Colonels." The tradition and customs which allow the Governor to take the actions he does today are not stated in law, some governors make a few colonels and others make a lot, what is true is that the special rights that are granted are also based in common-law.

As a term, reference point, in a generic sense and legally in a descriptive sense the "Kentucky Colonel" came on the stage as an entity, "icon of Kentucky Culture" with a definable character in the 1870s with his long-goatee and string tie with a bottle of bourbon nearby. Two films were made, one in 1920 including the Kentucky colonel, there were dozens of books and newspaper articles before the 20th century began. "Kentucky Colonels" and "Kentucky Colonel" became popular names to associate with businesses, brands, bars, hotels, tourist venues, beer, tobacco and even sweet treats chocolates before 1950.

In 1933, the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels was incorporated in New York with a friendly Governor in Kentucky, Ruby Laffoon, the Governor during the depression as the United States moved off of the gold-standard calling in the gold for certificates used his ability to make Kentucky Colonels into a fundraising opportunity and a way to reach out to the most powerful people from all states. In 1934 they held their first super high class socialite event and in 1939 the businessman J. Fred Miles decided to call himself a General and he took charge of the organization, by 1941 they were creating a proprietary pseudohistory about the Kentucky Colonel. Their formula worked for the most part and they incorporated with a national idea to form a network using generals in each state, but of course it is only mythical and does not align with the common-law or with have precedent. The only one who can lead a Colonel is his creator and maker which assigned the Honorable Order.

In 2020, the matter of Intellectual Property came to light when the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels (demonstrated their authority) in law by trademarking "KENTUCKY COLONELS" for additional commercial exploitation representative of their legal incorporated name. Within a year it was shown an extensive bibliographic expose on Kentucky Colonelcy put the HOKC in a position to dismiss the case after recognizing that they could not sue one of their own members or a Kentucky Colonel that is exercising their duty and responsibility of the office; it was also clear that they could not create a Kentucky Colonel or have a title revoked.

Kentucky colonel nominations

Each governor decides to whom, how, under what conditions, the selection process and the frequently he/she will issue colonelcies. Since the late 1890s only a colonel could nominate another colonel or the governor had to independently recognize the individual. Under the current process established by Governor Andy Beshear (elected 2019), nominations and recommendations for the honorable title can be submitted by both Kentucky colonels and members of the general public. The nomination form solicits the recipient's name, telephone number, email, birthdate, detailed information about "any active or previous service in a charitable organization or community service and/or any military service", and a statement of the "noteworthy deed", stating why the person deserves to be recognized as "honorable" without requiring an affiliation with (or donation to) any particular organization. Individuals may not nominate themselves and many applications are rejected for not providing the proper details or being considered noteworthy enough, applications are expected to say much more than "good person".

References

External links

Kentucky Colonelcy Creative Commons

• American Colonels: Kentucky Colonelcy

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