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Dr. Peter Smith (left) surprised Charles McDaniel |
GOING TO Kentucky
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
He did note that members of the 501(c)3 organization do contribute to charitable causes, which in recent years have included relief funds for Hurricane Katrina victims and playgrounds for a Kentucky orphanage.
In nominating McDaniel, Smith said he considered the length and breadth of the businessman's public service in the Fredericksburg area.
He listed McDaniel's service on a host of local bodies, including the Fredericksburg City Council, the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center, Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce, Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Mary Washington Hospital Foundation and the University of Mary Washington's Presidents' Roundtable. Professionally, McDaniel is chairman of the Hilldrup Cos.
While the nomination to the group that was formalized in the 1930s was warmly received by McDaniel, he especially appreciated the toast that marked his membership.
It was done with mint juleps the Smiths brought with them, a rite of spring McDaniel enjoys.
"This is great," said the new colonel of the honor. "We'll have to find out more about all of this when we're down there."
kycolonels.orgRob Hedelt: 540/374-5415
Email: rhedelt@freelancestar.com
