I Retro: Kimmer, am a KENTUCKY COLONEL...no joke I really am. I was appointed by the only woman Kentucky Governor The Honorable Martha Layne Collins on my birthday February 9, 1986. I have attended the Kentucky Colonel Pancake Breakfast at the Kentucky Derby in the past and drank Mint Juleps with other Colonels at the Derby/Churchill Downs... Y'all take a peek at the history of the Colonels... Elvis Presley was one too! xKKentucky colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Commissions for Kentucky colonels are given by the Governor and the Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation. The sitting governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky bestows the honor of a colonel's Commission, by issuance of letters patent.HistoryThe title "Kentucky colonel" was first formalized in 1813, but was in informal use before that to refer to people with honored reputations, often related to military service in the American Revolution.It was often associated with landowners respected in their communities. When the Kentucky Militia was deactivated following the War of 1812, Governor Isaac Shelby commissioned Charles Stewart 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 served military roles in the state. In the latter part of the 19th century, 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 19th century, the title had become more of an honorary one. But, since commissioned Kentucky colonels are considered members of the Governor's Staff as his honorary aides-de-camp, all are entitled to the style of "Honorable" as indicated on their commission certificates. This is rarely used, however; Kentucky colonels are usually just referred to and addressed as "Colonel". In writing, usage is Kentucky colonel when the term is not being used as a specific title for an individual.READ MORE ON THE COLONELSFamous Kentucky colonels:Over the years, many celebrities have held the title Kentucky Colonel. Here is a list of a few of the individuals, arranged in alphabetical order by their first name:Ann Margret Ashley JuddBarry ManilowBetty WhiteBill Clinton Billy Ray CyrusBing CrosbyBob BarkerBob Hope Carol Channing Crystal GayleDale EvansDanny Sullivan Dick SmothersDwight Yoakam Edgar G. RobinsonElvis PresleyFoster Brooks George Bush Glenn Frey Harlan SandersHugh O’BrienJeff Foxworthy Jeff GordonJimmy DuranteJohnny DeppJose FerrerLloyd BridgesLouise MandrellMae WestMarie OsmondMario AndrettiMel TillisMuhammad AliNaomi JuddNorm Crosby Norman Schwarzkopf Omar BradleyPat Day Peter GravesPhyllis Diller Pope John Paul IIRetro: Kimmer!Richard PettyRichard ThomasRonald ReaganRosemary Clooney Roy RogersShirley Temple BlackTiger WoodsTom SmothersTom T. Hall Wayne GretzkyWayne NewtonWhoopi GoldbergWinston ChurchillWynonna JuddKentucky Colonels on FacebookLost my certificate and need a new replacement... But here is Steve's

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