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Who is Russel L. Honore: The General Who Saved New Orleans

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US Army Lt. General Honoré: One John Wayne Dude

After Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans in late August and early September of 2005, the city was in utter chaos for days.

Shootings, stabbings, and looting were commonplace. Much of the city was still underwater, and many people were trapped in their homes—some forced to stand in their attic neck high in water, hoping for salvation.

The situation wasn't much better in the public relief centers such as the Convention Center and Superdome. Reports of rapes and stabbings were widespread, and many of the sick and elderly were dying because of the excruciating heat and lack of food, water, and medicine.

Mayor Ray Nagin called for martial law, and "one John Wayne dude" was sent to clean things up.

“He came off the doggone chopper, and he started cussing and people started moving.”

Learn More About the General

These aren't just random links: they are well-thought out articles that describe exactly what General Honoré has done for our country in his over 35 years of service.

Washington Post - The Category 5 General
A great piece by the Washington Post: "There's the swagger, and that ever-present stogie. There's the height and heft of his physique. U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré, 57, is the kind of commander you don't mess with, and you don't cross."
CNN.com - Lt. Gen. Honore a 'John Wayne dude' - Sep 3, 2005
CNN's profile of General Honoré, including a few videos you absolutely must check out.
Louisiana Native General in Charge of New Orleans Relief
An official account by the US Department of State of General Honoré's role in the Katrina disaster recovery process.
A quick bio
The previous links focus primarily on his involvement in the Katrina disaster recovery, but this is a general overview of his entire military career.

Three Videos You Absolutely Must See

In order to fully understand what this man accomplished, you really should spend a few minutes watching the following videos.

General Honoré to the Rescue
During the wake of Katrina, General Honoré was much too busy to spend all day in press conferences. But in this rare interview, you'll get a glimpse of just how amazingly focused this man was. When the reported asked him if he had spoken to his daughter (who lived in New Orleans), he said "no, the priority is on this mission, and getting these people outta here."
Mayor Nagin's Description
The famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask), highly charged, emotional interview of Mayor Ray Nagin by the local radio station (WWL) after the storm. In it he explains just how bad the situation was in New Orleans. It also includes Nagin's now ubiquitous description of General Honoré as "one John Wayne dude." Beware - listening to this clip is enough to bring even the strongest person to the edge of tears.
Another Interview of Nagin
This one doesn't have to do with General Honoré directly, but it's relevant nonetheless. Regardless of what you think of Mayor Ray Nagin's efforts AFTER the storm, you can't help but respect him for what you see at the 4 minutes, 30 seconds mark of the video.

Mad, Mad Respect

A quote from the General himself

" Our number one task is to deal with the concentration of people in New Orleans as well as those that are isolated, and we're gonna get after it, and umm, I know it is frustrating. We all feel it, we are right here, and these are Americans. These are our people. This is the purpose for which we were formed as an army to protect our nation and our people. This is what we are committed to. We all raised our right hands to support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, and this storm has been like an enemy. "

Honore made headlines when he ordered the troops to patrol New Orleans streets with their weapons lowered, saying "This is not Baghdad. These are American citizens."

More Choice Quotes From the General

They went into stores to get food to stay alive. Looting isn't the right word. I call it survival.

By-and-large, these are families that are just waiting to get out of here. They are frustrated; I would be, too. I get frustrated at the cash register counter when the paper runs out.

I can't swing a dead cat without hitting a reporter.

This is a Disaster. This isn't something somebody can control. We ain't stuck on stupid.

We've got a plan, but don't confuse the plan with execution. We're doing something that is very different. Nobody goes around with 50 tones of water.

Who is affected more when it's cold? Poor people. Who is affected more when it's hot? Poor people. Who is affected more when it's wet? Poor people. Who is most affected when the economy is bad? Poor people. Poor people are the most fragile.

Worse things have happened to America. We're going to overcome this, too. It's not our fault. The storm came and flooded the city.

You can't vote that water out of the city of New Orleans.


Talking about Hurricane Rita, another hurricane which followed soon after Katrina:

America needs to get over it. We can't control everything. We can't control the storms.

The preparations are what they are. We're here. The storm is coming. We are as best prepared as we can be as the eye of the storm approaches.

What do you think of General Honoré?

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Shout Out For Russel L. Honoré!

Share your stories, sightings, thoughts, rants, raves...

  • wilfredpadilla Mar 18, 2012 @ 4:53 pm | delete
    One of the best.
  • chipmunk79 Mar 5, 2012 @ 11:14 pm | delete
    Great lens..
  • gonzalezdenise Sep 6, 2011 @ 11:30 am | delete
    Thanks, great lens. A lot of information.
  • Frankster Aug 11, 2011 @ 8:38 am | delete
    Russel L. Honoré is an American hero in my mind and heart. I hadn't heard his, "We ain't stuck on stupid," before. It is just so funny and is now one of my favorite quotes. Thanks for sharing about this great American. Bear hugs, Frankster
  • frank ringer jr. Feb 19, 2010 @ 4:20 pm | delete
    I have always thought tahthe should hav been named to the homeland security job. He does not spend time playing those stupid media game that daze and confuse folk to sell headlines and usless soundbites. He knew what the mission was during Katrina. I would love to smoke a cigar with him someday. I wonder what kind of rapper he prefers on his cigars. I like Va. Shade.
    Wher can I get one of the pictures of the General comming into town and ordering a soldier to lower his weapon. More than a John Wayne, John Wayne with a real mission.
  • SFC(R), One of the General's interpreters Jan 14, 2009 @ 11:02 am | delete
    I worked with the General (Colonel at the time) on four deployments. He could eat Lieutenants for breakfast, but he love good NCOs. He was one officer I truly respected. Hope he's doing well in retirement.
  • Music-Resource Oct 8, 2008 @ 4:59 am | delete
    Hi Gil: Nice Honore lens. "You are stuck on stupid! I'm not gonna answer that question" right after he told 'em not to talk about the last hurricane :) The man for the job, no doubt. Good tribute. ~Music Resource~
  • SemperFidelis Feb 2, 2008 @ 12:56 pm | delete
    Love the 'Stuck On Stupid' video. Kinda sums up the media at any given moment, in any given event! 5*
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giltotherescue

I was born and raised in N'awlins (as we locals call it). Although I now live in NYC, I still consider New Orleans my one and only home. Because of ev... more »

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