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Colin Powell was commemorated as a war hero, statesman, councilor of presidents and down-to-earth father who loved old cars and ABBA music during his funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington DC Friday.
Powell, a four-star general and the first African-American person to serve as secretary of state and president of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, died on 18 October at 84 years due to complications of COVID – 19 .
Colin Powell He served in the army for 35 years, rising to the rank of four-star general. He was Secretary of State during the presidency of Bush , Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the presidency of George HW Bush and Clinton , and national security adviser during the presidency of Ronald Reagan .
Powell was remembered Friday as a patriot statesman who served his country in peace and war , at a funeral that was marked not only by his reverence for the former secretary of state, but by the bipartisan attendance of former presidents and dignitaries who paid tribute to the late Washington giant.
At Friday’s funeral, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden were joined by former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, as well as their wives. Other high-ranking officials from the current and previous administrations also attended, something unusual in the current climate of polarization in Washington.
His leadership and life of public service was discussed in the tribute to Powell, friends and family shared personal anecdotes and also mourned him as a family man and “a great lion with a great heart.”
“Colin Powell’s example does not require us to emulate his resume, which is too formidable for mere mortals. It is emulating his character and his example as a human being. We can endeavor to do so. We can choose to be good, ”said former FCC President Michael Powell, son of Powell, in a poignant tribute to his father.
Following the news of Powell’s death the 18 October, Biden called him “a dear friend and a patriot ”, a great military leader and“ a man of overwhelming decency ”. Obama said that Powell was “an example of what the United States, and Americans, can and should be if we want to continue being the last and best hope in the world ”. Bush said that Powell was “a great public servant” who was “highly respected at home and abroad.” . And Bill Clinton said that Powell “lived the promise of America.”