General Colin Powell – Former Secretary of State of the United States of America
By
John C Abercrombie
With the exception of President Barack Obama and current Vice President Kamala Harris, Colin has held the 3rd highest position in the United States government, rising to position of Secretary of State, serving under George W Bush.
Born to Jamaican immigrants of African and Scottish ancestry his mother was Maud Ariel McKoy and Luther Theophilus Powell, Colin Luther Powell was born April 5, 1937, in Harlem, New York. His father was a shipping clerk and his mother a seamstress.
Powell worked in a local furniture store and learned to speak Yiddish while working there.
Colin Powell grew up in South Bronx and graduated from high school in 1954. He graduated from City College of New York in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in geology. He graduated from George Washington University with an MBA in 1971 and an Honorary Doctor of Public Science in 1990
While in college at City College of New York Powell found his calling when he joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). He has called the discovery the best experience of his life.
This should serve as an example to people who have not found their passion to keep looking and when you find it, excel by applying yourself. This an important lesson because it shows that success in school is not a necessarily a complete predictor of success in life.
Many assume that because Powell rose to the rank of 4 star general, the highest rank available in peace time that he attended the United States Military School at West Point (NY). He admits that his grades were not sufficient at the time to have been admitted.
He discovered this passion for the military after being in college about 6 months. He describes the experience as finding something that he liked and was good at. His advice is “That’s what you really have to look for in life, something that you like, and something that you think you’re pretty good at. And if you can put those two things together, then you’re on the right track, and just drive on.”
Colin Powell was a member of The National Society of Pershing Rifle a military oriented honor society for college level students. Originally named Varsity Rifles, it was changed to Pershing Rifles to hoor General of the Armies General of the Armies (the highest rank, only available during war times) John J “Black Jack” Pershing.
After graduation, Colin Powell was commissioned as second lieutenant. This was right after the army was desegregated by executive order (9981) signed into law by President Harry Truman. When he was assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia because of segregation, he was refused service in bars and restaurants and other places. After basic training he was assigned to the 48th infantry in West Germany as a platoon leader.
Please note that there are many United States Army installations named after Confederate States of American Generals who took up arms against the United States of America, which seems an afront to the Blacks who fight for this country. Most of these installations were named to honor our combatants between World War I and continued until the mid-1940’s
There are 10 major U.S. military bases named in honor of Confederate military leaders, all in former Confederate States:
- Camp Beauregard, –National Guard installation named for Confederate States of America General Pierre Beauregard
- Fort Benning – Georgia named after Confederate States of America General Henry Benning
- Fort Bragg, North Carolina named for Confederate States of America Genera Braxton Bragg
- Fort Gordon – Georgia named for Confederate States of America General John Brown Gordon
- Fort AP Hill – Virginia named for Confederate States of America General AP Hill
- Fort Hood – Texas named for Confederate States of America General John Bell Hood
- Fort Lee – Virginia named for Confederate States of America General Robert E Lee
- Fort Pickett – Virginia named for Confederate States of America General George Pickett
- Fort Polk – Louisiana named for the Right Reverend Leonidas Polk, Episcopal Bishop and Confederate General of the Confederate States of America
- Fort Rucker – Alabama named for Edmund Rucker acting General in the Confederate States of America
- Camp Maxey – Texas a Texas National Guard installation named for confederate States of America General Samuel Maxey
- Camp Pendleton – Virginia a National Guard installation named for Confederate States of America General William Pendleton
These installations honor those who fought often to the death to make sure that people like Powell were forever enslaved and denied the rights of ordinary citizens of America
During his illustrious career, Powell held the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Colin Powell rose to the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff often abbreviated as JCS, the purpose of which is to advise the president of the United States, the secretary of defense, the Homeland security Council and the National security council on military matters.
The JCS is made up of a Chairman (CJCS), a vice chairman (VJCS) and the senior chiefs of
- Chief of the Army
- Chief of the Marine Corps
- Chief of the Navy
- Chief of the Air Force
- Chairman of the Space Force
- Chief of the National Guard Bureau
The individual service chiefs work directly under the secretaries of their respective military departments. As is apparent, this is a responsible body serving an important role.
He also served as Secretary of State of the United States
Secretary of State of the United States
The Secretary of State of the United States is similar to what would be called a Foreign Minister in other countries. The office of Secretary of State was created in 1789 and filled by Thomas Jefferson. The current practice is that the person filling the post is nominated by the President of the United States, followed by confirmation hearings before the senate Committee on Foreign relation before being confirmed by the United States Senate.
The position is very powerful and is the first of the presidential line of succession among the Cabinet Secretaries. Among the secretary of treasury, secretary of defense and the attorney general are regarded as the 4 most critical cabinet members in importance.
General Powell suffered from the effects of COVID but had underlying conditions that contributed to his death multiple myeloma being the most significant. It is important to note that this caused his immunizations to not be as effective as with most people, but he was aware of this and chose the best possible procedure of vaccination.
Colin Powell was afflicted with Multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells. These cells are a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies. Initially there may be no symptoms but as the condition progresses there may be bone pain, anemia and kidney dysfunction which may lead to infections.
Some of the factors that may lead to multiple myeloma are
- Obesity
- Radiation exposure
- Family history
- Chemical exposure
These are some suspected causes or factors that may play a role in the development of multiple myeloma. The exact cause is yet unknown. It is known that the condition often leads to abnormal plasma cells that progress to smoldering myeloma. Abnormal plasma then produces abnormal antibodies resulting in kidney problems and overly thick blood. These plasma cells can form a mass in the bone marrow or in the soft tissue.
When only one tumor is present it is called plasmacytoma and when there are more than one, it is called multiple myeloma. The diagnosis is often based on blood or urine tests that find abnormal antibodies or by bone marrow biopsies. Another indication may be the finding of high blood calcium.
Medical advances have brought us to the point where it is treatable, but generally incurable. There are instances where remission can be developed by the use of steroids, chemotherapy or other targeted therapy and emerging technologies using stem cell transplants. There are therapies used to reduce pain caused by bone lesions.
Please do not confuse multiple myeloma with melanoma which is a form of skin cancer.
In summary, multiple myeloma is a form of blood cancer that can affect the immune system. This is an underlying condition that General Colin Powell had that contributed to the complications of the COVID infection.
A 2nd condition was Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a nervous system disorder and affects movement. In the beginning the systems may be gradual and hardly noticeable with tremors in one hand progressing to cause stiffness and slowing of movement.
The symptoms may differ from person to person. They may be mild and unnoticed in the early stages. The symptoms may start on one side of the body and are often more pronounced even when the condition progresses and affects both sides of the body.
- There may be tremors or shaking in a limb, more often a hand or fingers.
- Slowed movement
- Simple tasks may become more difficult or time consuming
- Steps may become shorter
- Difficulty getting out of a chair
- Dragging of your feet
- Rigid muscles
- Painful muscles and limited range of motion
- Impaired posture
- Impaired balance
- Loss of automatic movements
- Decreased ability to perform unconscious movements like blinking, smiling or swinging your arms as you walk
- Speech changes
- Writing changes
Your best chances of life and quality of life rest with early detection of conditions. Hint to the wise!
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Colin Powell, the first Black US secretary of state
whose leadership in several Republican administrations helped shape American foreign policy in the last years of the 20th century and the early years of the 21st, has died from complications from Covid-19, his family said on Facebook. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer looks back on his life and career
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It Worked for Me:
In Life and Leadership Colin Powell, one of America’s most admired public figures, reveals the principles that have shaped his life and career in this inspiring and engrossing memoir. A beautiful companion to his previous memoir, the #1 New York Times bestseller My American Journey, Powell’s It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership is a trove of wisdom for anyone hoping to achieve their goals and turn their dreams into reality. A message of strength and endurance from a man who has dedicated his life to public service, It Worked for Me is a book with the power to show readers everywhere how to achieve a more fulfilling life and career.
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60 Minutes Archive: Colin Powell, profiled by Ed Bradley in 1992
Colin Powell, the first Black secretary of state and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has died. He was 84. In 1992, Ed Bradley interviewed Powell for 60 Minutes. “60 Minutes” is the most successful television broadcast in history. Offering hard-hitting investigative reports, interviews, feature segments and profiles of people in the news, the broadcast began in 1968 and is still a hit, over 50 seasons later, regularly making Nielsen’s Top 10.
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My American Journey
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A great American success story . . . an endearing and well-written book.”—The New York Times Book Review Colin Powell is the embodiment of the American dream. He was born in Harlem to immigrant parents from Jamaica. He knew the rough life of the streets. He overcame a barely average start at school. Then he joined the Army. The rest is history—Vietnam, the Pentagon, Panama, Desert Storm—but a history that until now has been known only on the surface. Here, for the first time, Colin Powell himself tells us how it happened, in a memoir distinguished by a heartfelt love of country and family, warm good humor, and a soldier’s directness.
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Watch Secretary of State Blinken respond to death of Colin Powell Secretary of State
Antony Blinken praised the contributions of Gen. Colin Powell to the US government and military after Powell died from complications from Covid-19, according to his family.
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One of Booklist’s Top 10 Business Books of 2002 and a BusinessWeek, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today business bestseller “Management professor Oren Harari adopts Colin Powell’s rise into the upper ranks of American power as a model for decision makers in the private sector. Harari hails Powell’s character as the essence of a host of supple executive virtues, from defining and defending rational objectives to playing the provocateur against outdated modes of boardroom thinking.”–The Washington Post “Powell appears to be a natural born leader with an intuitive sense of strategy for advancement in war and politics. For those of us who are not so lucky to have such diplomacy inherently, Harari’s book can teach us how to lead effectively following Powell’s example.”–USA Today “This is a ‘battle-tested’ leadership book and although the author has shown how to apply these principles in the corporate venue, you don’t have to be a CEO to benefit from the words and wisdom of Colin Powell.”—Booklist
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Colin Powell 2012 commencement speech
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Colin Powell: Imperfect Patriot
For the past three decades, Colin Powell has been among America’s most trusted and admired leaders. This biography demonstrates that Powell’s decades-long development as an exemplary subordinate is crucial to understanding his astonishing rise from a working-class immigrant neighborhood to the highest echelons of military and political power.
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‘Don’t feel sorry for me’:
Excerpt from one of Colin Powell’s last interviews Colin Powell, the first Black US secretary of state, opened up to journalist Bob Woodward about his health struggles in what may have been his last interview before his death.
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General Colin Powell has been a respected person on both sides of the aisle, which is another way of saying that he was enjoyed the respect of both Democrats and Republicans. He has been forthright and up front on his views. He has served his country. He was a possible candidate for presidency and would have done well, but as he states “did not have the fire in the belly” for politics. He is well worth the respect he has earned.
Follow his example, look for what you are passionate about and do well and make it a part of your life. Live your life with high moral standards.