Rock of Ages Baptist Church honors leaders who served during Hurricane Katrina

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Rock of Ages church on Franklin Avenue commemorated the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Reflecting on the city’s progress since the storm’s devastation, Sunday’s service honored leaders who served the community during the storm.

“We are embarking upon 20 years of celebrating Hurricane Katrina from surviving to thriving and I think it’s just appropriate for this generation to remember who were the heroic images that was in our community,” said Pastor Johnathan Everette.

“We still hope that tomorrow can be better in spite of whatever Mother Nature can bring our way,” said Everette.

Former New Orleans Police Department Police Chief Eddie Compass received a proclamation from the New Orleans City Council during the service. Compass resigned at the height of Katrina’s aftermath in 2005 after receiving mounting criticism of the NOPD’s response throughout the storm.

“It was devastating. I’ve been struggling for 20 years trying to get closure, and I think I finally have that,” said Compass.

As Chief of Police for the City of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, Compass faced unprecedented challenges as the city endured catastrophic flooding, loss of communications and mass evacuations. Despite the breakdown of infrastructure, Compass and his officers worked to rescue residents, protect property and maintain safety in an environment of crisis.

As the city continues to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Brittany Bell-Surant with Hip Hop Caucus says this is a moment of reflection not just for the city, but for the nation.

“On Friday, Aug. 29, at 11:20 a.m. local time, we’ll be doing a 60-second moment of silence. We’re asking for a nationwide moment of silence, because Katrina not only affected New Orleans and the Gulf South, but affected people around the world,” said Bell-Surant.

Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré, U.S. Army Retired, then commander of the U.S. First Army was also honored by Rock of Ages Baptist Church. In 2005, Honoré was appointed to lead Joint Task Force Katrina.

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