A General’s Reflections: Brigadier General Donald L. Rutherford on Miami’s Resilience
By: Daedrian McNaughton
Premier Guide Miami
In an exclusive interview with Brigadier General Donald L. Rutherford, a one-star general and Army chaplain, I found myself immersed in a story that transcended mere military experience. As a flight attendant accustomed to encountering diverse backgrounds, meeting General Rutherford was a rare opportunity that promised to be extraordinary.
The general’s distinguished 32-year Army career, including 20 years of active duty and two decades as a priest, has been dedicated to serving others, whether through counsel or in times of crisis. My teammate’s words echoed in my mind: “You may never get this chance again.”
General Rutherford’s connections to Miami are woven into the fabric of its history—particularly during the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in August 1992. Many remember the storm for the chaos it wrought, but for the general, it marked his first visit to the Magic City—a mission underscored by a sense of duty rather than pleasure.
“The sights were intolerable,” he recalled, reflecting on the destruction he witnessed upon arrival. “I was trained for situations like this, and my expertise took over.” During his deployment to assist the state, he worked tirelessly alongside fellow soldiers, scrambling from location to location without a stable base. He recounted sleeping in various makeshift accommodations—a Coast Guard station, a bank drive-thru, even the law library of the County Courthouse.
But it was the stories of the people he encountered that lingered most. The general recounted rescuing a woman trapped in her flooded home, her wellbeing compromised after days in rising waters. “When things are bad, humanity gets very good,” he noted, highlighting the profound solidarity Miamians demonstrated during that crisis.
As we navigate another hurricane season, General Rutherford’s advice resonates deeply. “Be prepared and if there’s a warning, get out. The city can be rebuilt, normalcy restored, but you’ll never get your life back,” he cautioned, a stark reminder of the stakes involved.
The dialogue concluded with reflections on home. “Home is where the Army sends you,” he mused, revealing the transient bond that soldiers share with each new place they serve. Originally from upstate New York, he emphasized how his calling places him where he’s needed most.
In a world often preoccupied with the pursuit of fun and sun, General Rutherford embodies the spirit of compassion and commitment to service. His experiences in Miami, both past and present, remind us that behind every headline of disaster lies a story of humanity’s resilience.
As we thank General Rutherford for his invaluable service to our country and his dedication to healing our communities, we look forward to the day when his next visit to Miami will be filled with joy and laughter, rather than the weighty responsibility of crises.
Brigadier General Donald L. Rutherford stands as a beacon of hope, exemplifying the power of service—not just in times of disaster, but every day, and we are all the better for it.
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Brigadier General Donald L. Rutherford
Brigadier General, USA
Graduate, The State University of New York at Albany (ROTC)
Advanced degrees from St. Bernard’s Seminary of the University of Rochester
United States Army War College; ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Church, Diocese of Albany
Served as Command Chaplain, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army; Command Chaplain Multi-National Corps Iraq, Camp Victory, Baghdad
Currently Deputy Chief of Chaplains, U.S. Army.