On Thursday, October 2, 2025, the Lee County Library will welcome Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré, U.S. Army (Ret.) to Tupelo as the speaker for the 2025 Helen Foster Lecture. As the commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, LTG Honoré became known as “The Category 5 General,” for his striking leadership style in coordinating military relief efforts in post-hurricane New Orleans. He is a decorated 37-year army veteran and global authority on leadership.
The evening will begin at 6:00 PM with a special ceremony recognizing not one but two recipients of the Helen Foster Award for Library Advocacy (2024 and 2025) and will continue with the Helen Foster Lecture presented by General Honoré. Following the program General Honoré will remain in the library for a brief meet-and-greet with program attendees. This event is free and open to the public.
General Honoré developed his crisis-management expertise over an extensive military career. He planned and supported the United States military response to the devastating flooding which swept Venezuela 1999 and Mozambique in 2000. As Commander of SJFHQ-HLS under NORTHCOM direction, he planned and oversaw the military response to the Space Shuttle Columbia Tragedy and the DC Sniper Shootings
Prior to commanding Joint Task Force Katrina in which he led the Department of Defense response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, he served in a variety of command and staff positions. These roles focused on Defense Support to Civil Authorities and Homeland Defense. Lt. Gen. Honoré also participated in three Top Officials (TOPOFF) exercises, as well as the United Endeavor series of Homeland Defense exercises.
In 2004, LTG Honoré was appointed Commander of the oldest and longest established U.S. field army: the 500,000 troop First Army. The First Army World War pedigree includes distinguished names like John “Black Jack” Pershing and Omar Bradley. It serves today as a mobilization, readiness and training command. After 37 years of active service, Lt. Gen. Honoré retired from the U.S. Army on February 29, 2008.