History of the Honorary Colonels Corps of Utah
The Honorary Colonels Corps was organized by Brigadier General Lewis T. Ellsworth, President of Surety Life Insurance Company, who donated personal funds to create the organization in 1958. Major General Maxwell E. Rich was the Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard at that time. Original membership consisted of 17 individuals. General Ellsworth remained commander of the Corps for approximately 25 years.
General Ellsworth was succeeded as commander by Mitchell Melich, Chris Johnson, and the present commander, Brig Gen (Ret) E. J. “Jake” Garn. Major General Jefferson S. Burton is presently the Adjutant General, and may act as the chairperson of the Corps when necessary.
The Corps was created as a civic organization for the purpose of creating good will and social welfare for the State and promoting the interests of the Utah National Guard. It supports the objectives and actions of the National Guard to help further the best interests of the State. The Corps also works with the Governor of Utah on such affairs and projects as appropriate.
The Honorary Colonels Corps is a non-profit organization, and no part of the net earnings goes to benefit any individual. The Corps does not attempt to influence legislation nor participate in any political activities. At the present time, dues are $200 per year and no additional fund raising is conducted.
Members include individuals who have distinguished themselves in the fields of government services, military affairs, business, the arts, the sciences, or other worthwhile fields of endeavor. Governors are automatically inducted as members of the Corps, and remain in the Corps after they leave office. At the present time, we also have 26 current and retired general officers of the Utah National Guard as Corps members, and three mayors.
The Honorary Colonels sponsor an annual Awards Banquet to recognize community leaders who have supported the National Guard or who have been active in promoting programs in the public interest throughout the State and Nation.
The Corps provides financial support to the Freedom Academy held at Camp Williams in August of each year. The program is designed to instill patriotism and democratic principles in student-body officers and other selected students from high schools throughout the state. After a week with their peers, students are encouraged to return to their respective schools and organize Freedom Week activities for the benefit of their student bodies.
The Honorary Colonels join in the Governor's Day activity in September of each year where tribute is paid to the Governor/Commander in Chief and the men and women of the Utah National Guard. The Corps also sponsors the annual Veterans Day Concert where the Utah National Guard's 23rd Army Band joins with the Granite School District choirs to present a free concert to the public.
The Honorary Colonels' room, located at the National Guard headquarters building in Draper, was completed in 1987 and donated to the Guard in April 1997. This room is used for Board meetings and other special events.