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Salute To The Consummate General: Colin Powell Remembered For His Historic Leadership

by NOIRE Online

October 27, 2021 441 views
 

From: Texas Metro News Staff Reports and historymakers.org

An outpouring of expressions flowed in from around the world regarding the recent death of former US Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret) who succumbed to illnesses exacerbated by COVID-19.

On the day of his passing on Oct. 18, Powell’s family wrote on Facebook: “General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19,” further acknowledging Powell was fully vaccinated. “We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American.”

In addition to suffering form of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that hurts the body’s ability to fight infections, Gen. Powell was also a prostate cancer survivor.

“The passing of General Colin Powell marks a tremendous loss to our Nation and affects me deeply,” said Colonel Willus Hall, Commander, 199th Regiment Louisiana Army National Guard. “I have applied his teachings throughout my career and stand firmly by his quote, ‘The day Soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you stop leading them.’”

For more than 50 years, Gen. Powell devoted his life to public service in senior military and diplomatic positions across four presidential administrations. He became the 65th Secretary of State on January 20, 2001. As he stated at his confirmation hearing, the guiding principle of U.S. foreign policy during his tenure was that “America stands ready to help any country that wishes to join the democratic world.”

Former President Barack Obama praised the General’s service. “Michelle and I will always look to him as an example of what America—and Americans—can and should be,” said Mr. Obama.

Powell brought extensive experience with him to his office. Before becoming Secretary of State, he served as a key aide to the Secretary of Defense and as National Security Advisor to President Reagan. He also served 35 years in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Four-Star General and serving as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989 to 1993).

During this time, Powell oversaw 28 crises including the Panama intervention of 1989 and Operation Desert Storm in the victorious 1991 Persian Gulf War. That experience served him well, both before and particularly after the events of September 11, 2001, the day of the greatest tragedy on American soil since Pearl Harbor. As Secretary, he stood shoulder to shoulder with the President and the other members of the President’s cabinet in fighting the war on terrorism. As he often said, “winning that war is our first priority, and it will remain so for as long as necessary.”

Angela Montgomery, U.S. Navy, Retired Chief Petty Officer, met the General and said it was an honor.

“I was still active duty in the U.S. Navy and stationed at Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital,” she recalled. “I actually had to stand duty that day but made a deal with another Chief Petty Officer to cover for me, so I can go and meet General Powell at the Base Exchange.

Attending a book signing for, "It Worked for Me,” Gen. Powell visited with those in attendance.

“When it was my turn to talk with him, he held onto my hand like a comforting grandfather and told me he was proud of my service in the Navy,” she continued. “He told me to always strive for greatness, and lead by example. He asked if I had children, and where I was from, and he is sure my family is proud of me. He also said that he bet I was a ‘firecracker’ in the Navy because I insisted that he smile for my picture.” Montgomery said she shares their picture with friends and family.

VR Small, Founder/ CEO of Veteran Women's Enterprise Center and a proud veteran, said she was shocked to hear of the general’s passing.

“Most importantly, as a Veteran, and as an African American, I am very proud of General Powell's performance,” she said. “I did not always agree with his positions, but I respected them, and I believe he also respected opposing positions. In my opinion, General Powell led with integrity and honor, and his presence will be thoroughly missed. May he rest in peace, and we continue to pray for his family, friends, and colleagues."

Powell was devoted to grasping opportunities as well as to confronting the global and regional security challenges of the 21st century. He was at the forefront of the administration’s efforts to advance economic and social development worldwide – in the fight against HIV/AIDS, in the promise of the Millennium Challenge Account, the most significant change in helping needy nations since the Marshall Plan, and in pursuing a freer trading and investment climate worldwide.

Born in New York City on April 5, 1937, Powell was raised in the South Bronx. His parents, Luther and Maud Powell, immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Powell was educated in New York City public schools, graduating from Morris High School and the City College of New York (CCNY), where he earned his bachelor’s degree in geology. He also participated in ROTC at CCNY and received a commission as an Army second lieutenant upon graduation in June 1958.

His further academic achievements included a M.B.A. degree from George Washington University.

Powell had been the recipient of numerous U.S. military awards and decorations including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart. Powell’s civilian awards include two Presidential Medals of Freedom, the President’s Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal and the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal.

Over two dozen countries have bestowed awards on Powell, including a French Legion of Honor and an honorary knighthood bestowed by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. Powell was the founding Chairman of America’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth, a national crusade to improve the lives of our nation’s youth. Established at the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future in Philadelphia in April of 1997, and endorsed by every living U.S. President, America’s Promise aims to ensure all children in America have access to the fundamental resources needed to build and strengthen them to become responsible, productive adults.

Powell had also been a member of the Board of Trustees of Howard University and the Board of Directors of the United Negro College Fund. He also served on the Board of Governors of The Boys & Girls Clubs of America and was a member of the Advisory Board of the Children’s Health Fund.

Since returning to private life, Powell had become a strategic limited partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the renowned Silicon Valley venture capital firm. He was also on the Board of Directors of Revolution Health Care, a company developing strategies for consumer-directed health care.

Powell was the Founder of the Colin Powell Policy Center at his alma mater, the City College of New York, and he helped raise funds for the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial in Washington, D.C. and for the construction of an education center for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Powell was the author of his best-selling autobiography, My American Journey. He was married to the former Alma Vivian Johnson of Birmingham, Alabama. The Powell family includes son Michael; daughters, Linda and Annemarie; daughter-in-law Jane, and grandchildren Jeffrey, Bryan and Abigail.

Photo Caption: Gen. Colin L. Powell and Angela Montgomery (U.S. Navy, Retired Chief Petty Officer) at Gen. Powell's Book signing of "It Worked for Me."

Photo Credit: Angela Montgomery

 
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NOIRE Online
NOIRE is a new online magazine that scopes the Black and multicultural community from a cutting-edge perspective. Our mantra is “Our Lives, Our Stories, Our Voices.” Our vision is to become the leading source of true, high-quality narratives of people of color.
 

 

 

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