Honorary Colonels
Mission
The Honorary Colonels Corps of Utah is an official civic organization affilitated with the Utah National Guard. The Honorary Colonels are dedicated to fostering goodwill, supporting social welfare, and promoting the interests of the Utah National Guard. The Corps collaborates with the governor of Utah on various initiatives and projects as appropriate.
As a non-profit organization, the Honorary Colonels Corps of Utah ensures that no part of its net earnings benefits individual members. The Corps refrains from influencing legislation or participating in political activities. Annual membership dues are $250, with no additional fundraising activities conducted.
Key Events and Initiatives
Bronze Minuteman Awards
The Utah National Guard and the Honorary Colonels Corps honors civic leaders at the Annual Bronze Minuteman Awards dinner in Salt Lake City.
The Honorary Colonels Corps of Utah host the annual awards banquet to recognize community leaders who support the National Guard or promote public-interest programs across the state and nation.Veterans Day Concert
The Utah National Guard hosts its Annual Veterans Day Concert at the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. Members of the 23rd Army Band perform to honor veterans from all eras and branches.
The Honorary Colonels Corps of Utah sponsor this annual free concert for the general public. It normally features the Utah National Guard’s 23rd Army Band and local high school choirs.
The event typically recognizes the many supporting roles numerous service members play behind the scenes of the well-known stories of our military and its veterans.
Freedom Academy
The Utah National Guard and the Honorary Colonels Corps of Utah proudly sponsor Freedom Academy, a program dedicated to fostering patriotism and a deeper understanding of the ideals and principles of the United States. Freedom Academy provides students with unique, hands-on experiences alongside prominent leaders from Utah’s government, business, and military sectors. Through these interactions, participants gain valuable insights into leadership and the tools of various professions.
The program offers a well-rounded curriculum that addresses the academic, social, and recreational needs of each student. Upon returning to their schools, participants are equipped with a renewed sense of patriotism and a heightened appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy as a nation.Governor's Day
The pass in review is a time honored tradition for the Governor to observe the state of readiness of his military troops.
Typically, the ceremony also features fly overs from the Utah Air National Guard and the Utah Army National Guard aviation assets including a KC-135 Stratotanker and an arrangement consisting of two UH-60 Black Hawks and two AH-64 Apaches in a diamond formation. The festivities usually conclude with various activities including a classic car show, military equipment displays, and food trucks for the Soldiers, Airmen, and their families.Military Youth Ambassadors
Military Youth Ambassadors of Utah is a cultural exchange program that provides an opportunity for children of service members from the Utah National Guard and from the Royal Armed Forces of Morocco to come together to forge friendships, strengthen diplomatic relations, deepen foreign collaboration and trust, develop leadership skills, and represent Utah and USA as official guests in each others nations.
The Honorary Colonels Corps of Utah endorses this State Partnership Program which includes an annual Moroccan Youth Exchange between the two countries.