Arbroath man joins Ali, Elvis, Reagan, Churchill and Clooney

An Arbroath man has joined the likes of George Clooney, Ronald Reagan, Winston Churchill and Muhammad Ali.

Jim Millar, a visiting lecturer at Robert Gordon University and director of Fusion Whisky, received the highest honour awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

He has been honoured with the commission as a Kentucky Colonel.

Mr Millar said: “I am honoured to be commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel, which came as a complete surprise when the letter from the Office of the Governor arrived.

“I have now been told I was nominated because of work in international relations, specifically with Japan, which invests heavily in Kentucky.

“My interest in armed forces veterans’ issues was also a factor.”

Kentucky Colonel is the highest honour awarded by Kentucky, with the office founded in 1813 by Governor Isaac Shelby after returning from leading the Kentucky Militia in the war of 1812.

Shelby named one of his officers, Charles Todd, as an “aide-de-camp” on the governor’s staff with the rank and grade of colonel, and subsequent governors have continued the tradition.

Commissions 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.

Among the ranks of the Kentucky Colonels are distinguished people including President Ronald Reagan, Elvis, Winston Churchill and Muhammad Ali.

Colonels are Kentucky’s ambassadors of goodwill.