Following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré was designated commander of Joint Task Force Katrina responsible for coordinating military relief efforts.

Honoré will share his perspective as a Louisiana native as well as service member of the devastation during his keynote address at this year’s Kansas State Book Network lecture at 7 p.m. Sept. 13 in the Grand Ballroom of the Kansas State University Student Union.

“Honore, among many distinctions in his military career, is noted to be the prolific leader in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,” said Art De Groat, director, military affairs, K-State.

The Kansas State Book Network, De Groat said, seeks to create a common literary experience for students and faculty to generate discourse on relevant themes.

“The selection (of a book) must be of high-literary value, address pressing social and intellectual issues and be of interest to our students and faculty,” De Groat said.

Chosen this year is “Zeitoun” by Dave Eggers. “Zeitoun” is a true story about the lead up to and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and one man’s attempt to help others amidst the events that followed the disaster.

“As the story of Zeitoun is about this experience, and that K-State strives to be recognized as the most military-inclusive public university in America – our committee saw it fitting that we invite Honoré to share, with our students and faculty his personal account of the situation and the role that the military and others had in restoring order and human services there,” De Groat said. “I, personally, see value in our students seeing their Army in other roles than combat operations, such as domestic humanitarian support provided during Katrina.”

The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets are available at the Student Union Program Council Office on the third floor of the K-State Student Union or by calling 785-532-6571.

By Shandi Dix
1st Inf. Div. Post

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