In Remembrance: Colin Powell

Colin Powell, former Secretary of State and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away Monday October 18 at Walter Reed Medical Center. Powell was being treated for Parkinson’s and Multiple Myeloma, further compromising his immune system, and died as a result of COVID-19 complications. He had received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and was scheduled to receive a booster shot. Powell was surrounded by friends and family at the time of his death.  

Powell was born on April 5, 1937, in Harlem, New York, to Jamaican immigrants. He attended Morris High School in the Bronx and later went on to earn a degree from the City College of New York, where he served in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and entered the army upon graduation. Powell dedicated 35 years to military service. Powell held on to the values that he gained growing up poor in Harlem, saying that his success was “the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.” All of these values he learned from growing up in Harlem. 

In his years of professional service, Powell held a wide range of jobs in the national government. Powell was the first African American to become a four-star general and played a key role in the planning and operations of the Gulf War. He was named National Security Advisor under President Reagan. After that, he became the first African American Joint Chief of Staff under President George H. W. Bush and President Clinton. Later, he served under President George W. Bush, becoming the first African American Secretary of State. In 2003, Powell delivered a controversial speech at the United Nations urging international support for war against Iraq using intelligence information which later proved to be inaccurate. He later came to regret this and referred to the speech as a “blot” on his otherwise highly distinguished record.

Powell received offers by both the Democratic and Republican parties to run as their Presidential candidate but declined. As he did not like to take sides in his public work and did not want to obey what a party wanted.  His public service career was one of inclusion and cooperation, as he would work with both sides of the aisle, to gain others’ input and work cooperatively with them. This would be the greatest accomplishment of his public service career, according to allies and foes.Powell considered one’s public service accomplishments were more important than one’s political party. 

Tributes have consistently poured in for Colin Powell from both sides of the aisle. George W. Bush stated that he and his wife, Laura are “deeply saddened by his death” and will  forever remember him for his bravery as a soldier in the Vietnam War. President Obama and President Biden stated that “they are saddened by his death” and will remember him for his life of public service. President Biden also went on to state that he ordered the flags to be at half staff in remembrance and honor of Colin Powell. Biden, reminiscing, stated, “he could drive a Corvette like nobody else.” 

Colin Powell is survived by Alma, his wife of 59 years, his three children and two grandchildren. He will be remembered for his life of honor, duty and loyalty to his country.