The Rajin Cajun

If you don’t know who Lt. General (3 Star) Russel L. Honore is, you haven’t been watching the news. From CNN: “The three-star general directed the deployment of an estimated 1,000 National Guard troops from a New Orleans street corner Friday, making it clear that it was a humanitarian relief operation.”

And from his “official” bio:

General Honore is a native of Lakeland, Louisiana. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry and awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Agriculture upon graduation from Southern University and A&M College in 1971. He holds a Master of Arts in Human Resources from Troy State University as well as an Honorary Doctorate in Public Administration from Southern University and A&M College.

General Honore has served in a variety of command and staff positions. His overseas assignments include tours in Korea and Germany. He served as Commanding General, 2nd Infantry Division in Korea; Vice Director for Operations, J-3, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.; Deputy Commanding General and Assistant Commandant, United States Army Infantry Center and School, Fort Benning, Georgia; and Assistant Division Commander, Maneuver/Support, 1st Calvary Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Most recently, General Honore served as Commander, Standing Joint Force Headquarters – Homeland Security, U.S. Northern Command.

General Honore’s awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

But those that have served with him call him the “The Rajin Cajun” or affectionately “Uncle Russ”. By now you all have figured out this man shoots straight from the hip, cuts no slack and TAKES none either. He has decolored his language for the media, but the punch is still there.

I sat the other day and listened to a Fox reporter asking questions of other people involved in the efforts in New Orleans. All the people that spoke were asked questions, interrupted and cut short — except for the General. He started to speak, someone went “buuu–” and that was all she wrote. “Uncle Russ” plowed on through the “but” put forth by the reporter and 10 minutes later he finished his speech without one “hard break” or reporter asking him anything else.

My husband served with him at Fort Hood in the 1st Cav and then under him in Korea with 2ID. The CSM doesn’t respect a person lightly - the rank yes, the person it has to be earned. He speaks affectionately when telling stories of the General, and I clearly remember an interesting speaker chewing on an unlit cigar at a Dining Out after they returned from Bosnia.

What some people may be unaware of is that Lt. Gen. Honore has family that he has not seen yet since this disaster. His daughter and other relatives live in New Orleans.

Pray for the General and his family - as well as the other people involved in all the matters during this time. Trust Lt. General Honore — he will get done what he says he will. He may be a little rough around the edges, but anyone out there in the infantry or married to it will understand and love those rough edges. He is an honorable man who will get done his charge from his Commander and Chief and his Country.

– Crossposted via Trackback to Outside The Beltway