The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels (HOKC) was first established during the depression in 1933 by Governor Ruby Laffoon as a state order of merit with an office at the capital. In 1957, it was incorporated as a nonprofit dedicated to building playgrounds, curating history, awarding scholarships and providing relief to Kentuckians in need.
After a person receives a commission from the governor they automatically become an honorary lifetime member of the organization and, via donation to and participation in the HOKC’s charitable efforts throughout the state they can be considered an active member.
Kentucky Colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is the most well known colonelcy in the United States. A Kentucky Colonel Commission (the certificate) is awarded in the name of the Commonwealth by the governor of Kentucky to individuals with “Honorable” titular style recognition preceding the names of civilians aged 18 or over, for noteworthy accomplishments, contributions to civil society, remarkable deeds, or outstanding service to the community, state, or a nation. The Governor bestows the honorable title with a colonelcy commission, by issuance of letters patent.
Although Kentucky colonels are considered in Common Law to be aides-de-camp to the governors and members of their staff and thus entitled to the style of “Honorable”, Kentucky colonels are usually just referred to and addressed as “Colonel” and use the abbreviation “Col.” or Kentucky colonel when the term is not being used as a specific title for an individual. Most properly in writing this becomes “Col. First Name, Middle, Surname, Kentucky Colonel”.
First Kentucky Colonels was
in 1776, Col. John Bowman was the first Kentucky colonel officially appointed. Col. John Bowman was appointed as colonel of the Militia of Kentucky County by Governor of the Colony of Virginia, Patrick Henry. Notable pioneer, Daniel Boone was given the title “Colonel” by Col. Judge Richard Henderson in 1775 when he founded the settlement of Boonesborough. Boone was not officially granted a Kentucky colonelcy until 1780 when he was commissioned by the governor of Virginia. At the time Kentucky colonelcy was still military appointment in contrast to the modern Kentucky colonelcy which is an honorary title for civilians. Charles S. Todd is often mistakenly believed to be the first recipient an honorary commission of a Kentucky colonel in 1813. This is disputed by Col. Todd’s biography, and US military archives. The identity of first civilian honorary colonel is not known. In 1895, Governor William O’Connell Bradley commissioned the first honorary Kentucky colonels as an award of merit bestowed upon citizens for their individual contributions to the state, good deeds, and noteworthy actions.
Some American presidents such as George Bush, Jimmy Carter, Lynden Johnson and Ronald Reagan among others are Kentucky Colonels.
Col. Suarez feels honored to receive this prestigious distinction.
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