WASHINGTON (Oct. 18, 2021) — The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is mourning the passing of former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired U.S. Army General Colin L. Powell, who passed away due to complications of cancer and COVID-19 this morning at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He was 84 years old.
“General Powell was a trailblazer and one of the most influential leaders of U.S. foreign policy in the last 40 years,” said VFW National Commander Matthew “Fritz” Mihelcic. “From platoon leader in Cold War West Germany and military advisor during the Vietnam conflict, to overseeing the invasion of Panama and Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Powell led generations of men and women who were at the same time warriors and ambassadors for our nation. Yet, in spite all of his accomplishments and accolades, he never strayed away from the core of who he was - a soldier devoted to his family and the country he loved. He cared about service members. He cared about veterans. He cared about our fellow citizens. He was one of our own,” Mihelcic said. General Powell was a Life member of the VFW Department of Maryland.
“On behalf of the entire 1.5 million-member VFW family, our deepest condolences go out to the entire Powell family, and we salute this extraordinary man whose life of selfless service is a stalwart example for all of us.”