New Orleans, August 2005: ‘We’re on a rescue mission, damn it,’ barked Lieutenant General Russell Honoré to a soldier standing with a gun. It was a very tense and very hot August day in the South. General Honoré volunteered for the mission. He flew by chopper from Georgia to Louisiana as soon as he was ordered. Wearing a black beret brandishing a military insignia flash with three silver stars rank insignia clearly stating his status and importance, Honoré puffed a cigar while he coordinated efforts to rescue the citizens of New Orleans. He and only he was in charge of getting thousands of exhausted and sick women, children and men out of their flooded city. His commanding presence was only dwarfed by the overwhelming task at hand. He persevered to successfully coordinate the largest emergency evacuation of American citizens from their own place of residence, the city of New Orleans. Most never got the opportunity to meet him and thank him. An opportunity lost in their shuffle to survive the monstrous Hurricane Katrina aftermath.
Among Honoré’s active years assignments were Commanding General, First Army; Commanding General, SJFHQ HLS, U.S. Northern Command; Commanding General, 2d Infantry Division, Korea; Deputy Commanding General/Assistant Commandant, United States Army Infantry Center and School, Fort Benning, Georgia; and the Assistant Division Commander, Maneuver/Support, 1st Calvary Division, Fort Hood, Texas. He has also served as the Brigade Commander, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia; and Commander, 4th Battalion, 16th Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.
He is from Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. His birthplace (1947) is Lakeland, Louisiana, now called False River. Pointe Coupee Parish has the distinction of preserving its history as if frozen in time. The plantation homes are nearly dilapidated and dotted along the river’s edge. Mississippi. Sugar cane is the predominant agro business here, still. If you drive to visit the birthplace of this Louisiana hero, you will pass field after field of cane for sugar production. Many of these rural residents migrated from the river parishes to New Orleans over the past 100 years to work and live. Thus, these were Honoré’s people, his Louisianans. He knew the character of the people he was about to save.
Lieutenant General Russell Honoré volunteered because he understood his fellow Louisianans well, their need, and the urgency to rescue them in their moment of desolate despair. Now as a retired General and resident of this impacted state, he has taken up the cause to create a ‘Culture of Preparedness’ in America. He has written a book, Survival, as a guide for future emergency situations. He says, ‘one of the harshest lessons learned in recent disasters, especially Katrina, is that you, your own first responder.’
Congress should create a new shoulder sleeve insignia designed in honor of General Honoré’s conspicuous response and to his regiment of National Guard; the Badge of Military Rescue and Evacuation of New Orleans, Louisiana, August, 2005. All agency first responders who served under him should also be awarded a military emblem or military medal for endurance, patience and outstanding service.
Author Resource:
Saunders Insignia is a major supplier of insignia for military, and custom made patches. We stock over 15000 items. Earl F. Keaton http://SaundersInsignia.com Bachelor of science degree, California Polytechnic University USN reserve 4 years, USAF Technical advisor Korean War
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