Colin Powell was a politician, diplomat, and four-star general in the United States Army, and the first black Secretary of State. But his legacy was tarnished after he made some statements with inaccuracies about the Iran war in the UN. On Monday, he took his last breath amidst the Covid-19 outbreak.
He was 84, a retired four-star general, and the former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Colin Powell administered four presidents and earned a reputation as a man of honour distant from the political fray. He was an asset in the corridors of power.
In the sorrow of his death, his family said, “We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather, and a great American.”
Former US president, George W. Bush also said in a statement on Monday that Powell was “a great public servant” who was “such a favourite of presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice.” He was highly respected at home and abroad. And most importantly, Colin was a family man and a friend.”
Powell was outstanding and was known as a trailblazing, proficient soldier whose career took him from battling duty in Vietnam to serving as the first black national security adviser during the end of Ronald Reagan’s presidency.
He was the youngest and first African-American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of troops. He held this position under President George H.W. Bush. His national popularity climbed during the US-led coalition victory during the Gulf War.
Later, in the mid-90s, he was considered a notable competitor to become the first black President of the United States. While nominating him as the Secretary of State in 2000. George W. Bush announced that “General Powell is an American hero, an American example, and a great American story.”
He also said, “Indirectness of speech, his towering integrity, his deep respect for our democracy, and his soldier’s sense of duty and honour, Colin Powell demonstrates … qualities that will make him a great representative of all the people of this country.”
Powell never mounted a White House proposal, when he was sworn in as Bush’s Secretary of State in 2001. He became the highest-ranking black public official in the country ever. He stood fourth in the presidential line of succession.
Cifrino, PeggyColin’s long-time spokesperson, confided to the media that Powell had been vaccinated twice before and had a second shot in February. He was scheduled to get his booster shot this past week but was unable to receive it when he fell sick.
Covid-19 vaccines are a highly effective tool in preventing severe disease and death.
Further, 7,000 breakthrough cases of Covid-19 have resulted in death as per the reports by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through October 12.
By this point, more than 187 million people in the United States have been fully immunized. That’s one out of every 26,000 fully vaccinated people who have died of Covid-19 or 0.004%.
Of these breakthrough cases resulting in deaths, 85% were among the population aged 65 and older and 57% were among men, according to the CDC. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) records show that the risk of dying from Covid-19 is more than 11 times higher for unvaccinated adults than it is for vaccinated adults throughout August.
The outpouring of grief at Powell’s death of former and current leaders who attended his last rites included President Joe Biden, who described Powell as a “dear friend” and a dedicated public servant who broke barriers.
In his demise, Biden shared some words, saying that “Colin embodied the highest ideals of both warrior and diplomat. He was committed to our nation’s strength and security above all. Having fought in wars, he understood better than anyone that the military might alone be unable to maintain our peace and prosperity. From his front-seat view of history, advising presidents, and shaping our nation’s policies, Colin led with his commitment to the democratic values that make our country strong. Time and again, he put country before self, before the party, before all else–in uniform and out–and it earned him the universal respect of the American people. “
Former Vice President Dick Cheney said he was “deeply saddened to learn that America has lost a leader and statesman”. Cheney added that Powell was a “trailblazer and a role model.”
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Powell’s predecessor at the department, remembered him on Monday as “a wise and principled man, a loyal friend, and one of the kindest people I have ever met.”
“Although we grew up in different contexts, we bonded over our family’s immigrant stories, our deep love of America, and our belief in the importance of public service,” she said in a statement.
Condoleezza Rice, who succeeded Powell at State following his retirement in 2005, said on Monday that he “was a trusted colleague and a dear friend through some very challenging times,” adding in her statement that “much of his legacy will live on in the countless number of young lives he touched.”
And many other loved ones said they will miss their warriors as well. He was not only a soldier but a mentor, admirer, trailblazer, and model to millions.
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