WASHINGTON Colin Powell (the trailblazer soldier and statesman) has died at the age 84 from complications caused by Covid. According to NBC News, he had been treated for multiple myeloma. This is a form of blood cancer that affects the body's ability fight infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a large number of hospitalized breakthrough cases are caused by people who have not been fully vaccinated. Powell was a veteran of the military, serving from the Vietnam era to the first war with Iraq. He was also the first Black national security adviser, chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, and secretary of state. Former colleagues and leaders praised him as a leader, a hero, and a great friend. Powell, who was secretary to the State Department under President George W. Bush, described him as a "great public servant". Condoleezza Rice, his successor at the State Department called Powell "a truly remarkable man." President Joe Biden called Powell a friend and fondly recalled that the late statesman, general and statesman "could drive Corvette Stingray as nobody's business." "Colin was a diplomat and a warrior at the same time. Biden stated that he was dedicated to the nation's security and strength above all else. He was a veteran of war and knows that only military might is not sufficient to ensure peace and prosperity. Biden directed flags to be raised in Powell's honour through Friday. Powell, who identified himself as a Republican but didn't always follow the party line. During the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, he endorsed Democrats Barack Obama & Hillary Clinton.
Barack Obama (US President) meets Colin Powell (ex-Secretary of State), in the Oval Office at Washington's White House on December 1, 2010. Jim Young | Reuters
In an interview with MSNBC, he stated that "You can be Republican and still feel strongly regarding issues such as immigration, improving our education system, and doing something about some social problems in our country and society." Obama called Powell Monday "an exemplary patriot" while commenting on the historical nature of the late leader's achievements. "General Powell helped a generation set their sights higher along the way. Obama released a statement saying that he never denied the importance of race in his life and in society in general. He refused to accept that race would restrict his dreams and, through his principled and steady leadership, helped open the doors for many others. Recently, Powell endorsed Biden's run against Donald Trump. The death of Powell brought back memories of a dark moment in his otherwise successful career. His influence on shaping U.S. diplomacy after four decades of service as America's top diplomat, soldier and national security adviser was later marred by the argument for the Iraq War which began in 2003. After America entered into long-running wars in the Middle East and Powell acknowledged that he was haunted by his support for Iraqi combat. He stated that "it has blotted me record, but you're aware there's nothing we can do to change it." "All I can do is to say that I did my best analysis."
Powell's death was announced by his family via a Facebook post. The Powell family posted on Facebook that General Colin L. Powell, the former U.S. Secretary of States and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, had died this morning from complications from Covid 19. The family stated that they had lost a "remarkable and loving husband, father and grandfather, and a great American", noting that he was fully immunized. The Powell family thanked Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Maryland for their care. The hospital's spokesperson offered condolences to Powell and his family by writing: "Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is deeply sorry for the loss of Colin L. Powell, former Secretary of State and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff." He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and served the nation in many capacities. Powell, a son of Jamaican immigrants rose to the top of America's security establishment during the course of his military career. Former President Ronald Reagan appointed Powell as his national security adviser in 1987. This was the first Black person to hold that position. George H.W. Bush nominated Powell to be the youngest and first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Bush appointed Powell to serve as the youngest and most senior Black chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was responsible for overseeing the operations of America's Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War. Under President Bill Clinton, he continued to serve as chairman. Powell, after 35 years of military service was discharged in 1993 as a four star general. Multiple times, he was mentioned as a potential presidential candidate.
General Colin Powell (C), Head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, visits the Panaminian Defense Force Comandancia in Panama City on 05/01/90 to inspect US troops and get a briefing about Operation Just Cause, which was the US invasion of Panama. AFP
He was the first Black secretary to State under Bush younger, and a transformational appointment from combat soldier into statesman. Eight months into his job as the nation's top diplomat Powell was confronted with a unique assignment when 19 militants from the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked commercial aircraftliners to carry out suicide attacks on targets in the United States. Powell supported a quick military response against al Qaeda, just weeks after the terrorist attacks on September 11.
Colin Powell, US Secretary of State, answers questions during briefing at the State Department in Washington DC on 12 September 2001. Joyce Naltchayan | AFP | Getty Images
The Bush administration soon turned its attention to Iraq. In 2002, Powell warned Bush that if you broke it, you will own it." This was referring to Iraq. After receiving an intelligence assessment showing that Saddam Hussein's Iraq had accumulated a dangerous and deadly arsenal, Powell addressed the United Nations to support the American case for war against Iraq. Powell gave a 75-minute speech to the United Nations in early 2003. He claimed that Iraq had weapons and the potential to make more. Many of the information was incorrect. Powell later called the speech a "blot on his distinguished record". He called the speech a "great intelligence error" in 2016. Tens of thousands of people died during the war that spanned from 2003 to 2011. In a Monday statement, Bush honored Powell. "Laura Bush and I are deeply shocked by the passing of Colin Powell. Bush and Laura Bush released a statement saying that Powell was a "great public servant", starting with his service as a soldier in Vietnam. He was a favourite of Presidents and he won the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice. Bush said Powell was respected both at home and abroad and that many presidents relied upon his counsel and experience.
American First Lady Barbara Bush (1925-2018) wraps the Presidential Medal of Freedom around Colin Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a ceremony at the White House's East Room in Washington DC on July 3, 1991. US President George HW Bush (1924-2018) watches. Consolidated News Pictures
