News
Former US Secretary of State, Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell Remembered by Those Who Knew Him
Colin Powell, the first Black U.S. Secretary of State, died Monday morning of complications from COVID-19. The former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was 84 and battling a blood cancer that impacts the body’s ability to fight infections, along with Parkinson’s. His family in a statement said he was fully vaccinated.
Powell served under both Republican and Democratic Presidents, including serving as United States National Security Advisor to President Ronald Reagan.
News of his death has shocked the nation, with many who knew him sharing their memories of the highly-respected diplomat and military leader.
A sampling.
In the end, Colin Powell was a man who slowly evolved over his 84 years on earth.
He was a Black Republican who ultimately left the Republican Party.
He supported the Iraq War but later came to regret it.
And he once opposed gays in the military but later endorsed the idea.
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) October 18, 2021
And for those who don’t know or remember him, General Colin Powell was, perhaps, the most respected Black person in American politics in the 1990s.
He was widely expected to be the first Black president, and his decision not to run was front-page news.https://t.co/4eQIQdU7lG pic.twitter.com/m0yYgLrMbf
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) October 18, 2021
My deepest condolences to the entire Powell family on the passing of Colin Powell. A great American whose selflessness marked his military and diplomatic service to this country in so many ways. It was a great honor and privilege to know and work for him.
— Aaron David Miller (@aarondmiller2) October 18, 2021
Statement from former President George W. Bush on the passing of Sec. Colin Powell pic.twitter.com/ilPWTvlA1L
— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) October 18, 2021
On a personal note, he was always kind, generous with his time and insights and a great example to me of what is best about Washington. He was a good man, a mensch. He will be deeply missed.
— David Rothkopf (@djrothkopf) October 18, 2021
Colin Powell was the North Star to a generation of senior American military officers including me. First call I made for advice as NATO commander was to him. Godspeed and open water to a General for the ages.
— stavridisj (@stavridisj) October 18, 2021
This article will be updated with more reactions throughout the day.
Image by U.S. Department of State via Flickr
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