Posted on 09/04/2005 9:09:38 AM PDT by SmithL
ATLANTA - When the cavalry finally arrived in New Orleans to help the survivors of Hurricane Katrina, a cigar-chomping three-star general led the way.
That was Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, commander of the 1st Army, based at Fort Gillem in Atlanta. Normally he oversees training for all deploying troops on the East Coast.
For the time being, the Louisiana native is the man in charge on the front line in New Orleans. He is also coordinating military relief efforts for all storm-ravaged areas along the Gulf Coast.
Honore is winning over even some of the government's harshest critics, including New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who blasted the Bush administration's initial response to his city's disaster.
"He came off the doggone chopper, and he started cussing, and people started moving," Nagin told a radio station. "I give the president some credit on this. He sent one John Wayne dude down here that can get some stuff done."
Honore and thousands of National Guard troops rolled in Friday and Saturday, bringing food, water and a sense of safety.
The general was careful to show he was leading a humanitarian relief mission in his home state.
"Put those ... weapons down!" he yelled to troops rolling in on trucks.
He repeatedly strode up to soldiers, and sometimes the local police, telling everyone to point their guns down, reminding them they were "not in Iraq."
Honore is from Lakeland, La., northwest of Baton Rouge. He also has a daughter and other relatives who live in New Orleans, according to CNN.
Ahhhh. The President sends the grown ups to town.
Some of us demand it all of the time.
No kidding. I read people really well. As I watched him in action on tv, the General has a steel rebar for a spine and brass you know whats. I can tell he has the strength and determination to squash any petty distracter(s) inteferring with rescue and relief efforts between his index finger and thumb.
this guy is great. he's saying that the "late" response was completely understandable. the media has hyped him in the past few days. it will be interesting to see how they treat these remarks. go general!
just spoke during a news conference on foxnews. (the media asked for him). he was very impressive.
It just finished on CNN...
Gad! Hate to say I was watching the Devil's Brew, but was flipping through the channels and just caught it...
Of course, the General's remarks will never be shown again on CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc....
I give the president some credit on this.
He sent one John Wayne dude down here
[who] can get some stuff done.
"Proud wife" I salute you and trust that the MSgt is fully aware of the gem he has.
You are so right. My little family lost everything in the big S.F. Fire some years ago, which started at 8 am on a Sunday morning and by 11 am everything we owned was gone - not much 'warning' since we were, unfortunately, out of town. BTW, be sure to either put your photo negatives/CD in your safe deposit box or set aside some favorite photos to take along in your escape - we'd give anything to have even a couple of photos of the kids when they were little. God bless.
We shouldn't forget that the General was the one who stopped Brown from closing down the airport for security reasons. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall during their conversation. LOL
Hadn't heard that. Who is Brown and what is the story? Thanks.
Brown is head of FEMA. He was going to shut down the airport just as it was beginning to be opened for air traffic because of security concerns. He hadn't a clue, really. This general told him to stop the order and he was coming down immediately.
Lt. Gen. Russel Honore is on FNC right now...
Looking for the reference to the interview on CNN web site...still looking...still looking...went to the head and came back...still looking...
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