Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré (Retired)
Lt. Gen. Honoré is a native of Lakeland, La. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry and awarded a Bachelor’s degree in Vocational Agriculture upon graduation from Southern University and A&M College in 1971. He holds a Master’s in Human Resources from Troy State University as well as an Honorary Doctorate in Public Administration from Southern University.
Prior to his command of Joint Task Force-Katrina – leading the Department of Defense response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana – Honoré served in a variety of command and staff positions focusing on Defense Support to Civil Authorities and Homeland Defense. As Vice Director for Operations, J-3, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C., and, as the Commander, Standing Joint Force Headquarters-Homeland Security, United States Northern Command, Honoré’s focus was defense support to civil authorities and homeland defense.
For four of the past six hurricane seasons, he supported the Department of Defense planning and response for Hurricanes Floyd in 1999; Lilli and Isidore in 2002 (both hit the Gulf Coast); Isabel in 2003; and Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne in 2004. Honoré also planned and supported the United States military response to the devastating flooding which swept Venezuela 1999 and Mozambique in 2000. As Vice Director for Operations, he led the Defense Department’s planning and preparation for the anticipated Y2K Millennium anomaly.
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. Additionally, Honoré participated in three TOPOFF (Top Officials) exercises as well as the United Endeavor series of Homeland Defense exercises.
Among his assignments are 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, Ga.; 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, Ga.; Senior Mechanized Observer/Controller, “Scorpion 07,” National Training Center (25 rotations); and Commander, 4th Battalion, 16th Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Germany.
General Honoré’s awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster), the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (four Oak Leaf Clusters), the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal (two Bronze Service Stars), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (one Bronze Service Star) the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (4), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi), the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
Honoré retired on February 29, 2008, following 37 years of active service with the United States Army. He continues to speak and consult nationally on “Building a Culture of Preparedness.”
Ericka Dunlap, Miss America 2004
After being crowned Miss America 2004, Ericka Dunlap announced that she would promote the ideals of cultural diversity and inclusion during her reign.
Dunlap has appeared as a keynote speaker on topics of Diversity and competency advocate for a variety of corporate audiences including Chevron/Texaco, The Home Depot, Georgia Pacific and the coveted National Press Club. In addition, she also devoted herself to motivating audiences through her upbeat presentations on “Attention to Attitude”…the perfect way to energize and stimulate all age groups to maintain the right frame of mind toward achieving their priorities.
Dunlap currently serves on the Nashville Board of Directors for CommUnity an organization dedicated to understanding differences and building respect for our diverse nation.
Through her experiences as Miss America, Dunlap took her message of inclusion to audiences throughout the country and around the world. She has also been the requested guest of several media outlets that had not typically been associated with the Miss America Organization including the Oprah Winfrey Show, the Hollywood Squares game show, The O’Reilly Factor, and she also served as the grand marshal of the Talladega 500 NASCAR race.
Dunlap said she was especially honored to be the first Miss America in 32 years to visit U.S. troops in Kuwait for Thanksgiving at the request of the Kuwaiti Princess and the U.S. Army Reserves.
Since handing over the title in September 2004, Dunlap returned to the University of Central Florida and earned a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. She is the founder of the Crown Jewel Foundation, a non-profit organization that services inner-city youth and encourages awareness of social etiquette to children. She currently lives in Nashville, Tenn. with her husband Brian, where she is continuing her passion for expanding the perspective of diversity while pursuing a career in country music.