Fredericksburg.com - McDaniel honored as colonel

search local
Follow us on Twitter Find us on Facebook

Get a printer-friendly version of this page. E-mail this story to a friend.
Make a post about this story on FredTalk.

Dr. Peter Smith (left) surprised Charles McDaniel with a plaque and membership in the Kentucky Colonels.

Visit the Photo Place

McDaniel honored as colonel
Fredericksburg civic leader gets new designation: He's now a Kentucky Colonel
Date published: 4/20/2010

By Rob Hedelt

GOING TO Kentucky for a visit soon, Fredericksburg business and civic leader Charles G. McDaniel will arrive with a special new designation.

He'll be welcomed there as a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

I'd never heard of the honorary and philanthropic group before getting a call recently from my friend and longtime allergist, Dr. Peter Smith of Stafford County.

Smith is a Kentucky Colonel. He was nominated by one of his patients for his years of service to patients and the community here.

Existing colonels can nominate members from all over the globe. If the group and Kentucky's governor agree, new colonels are welcomed.

That's just what Smith and his wife, Judy, did Friday afternoon at McDaniel's home in Fredericksburg.

With a computer set up to play "My Old Kentucky Home" as images from the Kentucky Derby and other scenes from the Bluegrass State flashed by, Smith gave McDaniel a proclamation from Gov. Steve Beshear making him a Kentucky Colonel.

"It's perfect timing," said McDaniel with a big smile, noting the he and wife, Mary Wynn, will be attending the derby this year.

He also noted that he has researched the death of a relative during the Civil War at the Battle of Perryville in Kentucky, a subject he would like to learn more about.

Watching all the excitement at the brief surprise induction Friday was Sarah S. Pelfrey of Stafford County. She was there representing her mother, Lucy Lois Smith, who nominated Smith.

Pelfrey, who is herself a colonel, read a note from her mother, who is 101 and wasn't able to be there.

The former resident of Kentucky's Clay County sent McDaniel a short book she penned and urged him to take advantage of the fact that membership in the honorary order will get him into special parties at the derby.

Smith explained to McDaniel that the group is a great one to belong to because it doesn't come with any special duties or responsibilities.


1  2  Next Page  


Date published: 4/20/2010



Comments guidelines

1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
2. Please avoid offensive, vulgar, abusive, hateful or defamatory language.
3. Read and follow THE RULES.
4. We will block violaters and ban repeat offenders.










The Free Lance-Star fredericksburg.com 93.3 WFLS Print Innovators Classic Rock 96.9 99.3 The Vibe wntx radio