Huntington
– Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci directed that all flags on Town of
Huntington properties be flown at half-staff on October 19 to honor
former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who passed
away on Monday.
“Colin
Powell was a widely respected patriot, born in Harlem to Jamaican
immigrants, and his impressive achievements demonstrated the
opportunities available to all Americans. Colin Powell dedicated
his entire life in service to his country and broke many barriers as a
Black American and we mourn his loss with the rest of the nation,” said
Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci.
Colin
Powell served for 35 years in the military – beginning as a second
lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Powell served two tours in Vietnam and was
awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star
during his first tour. On his second tour, he rescued his fellow
soldiers from a burning helicopter despite being injured himself and was
awarded the Soldier’s Medal. In total he received 11 military
decorations, including the Legion of Merit. He went back
to military service as a battalion commander in Korea, and was promoted
brigadier general, commanding a brigade of the 101st Airborne Division.
Powell served as an assistant to the deputy secretary of defense, and to
the secretary of energy. He was promoted
to major general.
Powell
worked in the Nixon White House Office of Management and Budget. He was
appointed by President Ronald Reagan as our country's first Black
National Security Advisor, appointed by President
George H.W. Bush as the nation's first Black (and as well as the
youngest) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, overseeing 28 crises
including Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and after founding America’s
Promise Alliance, an organization aimed to help at-risk
children, he was appointed by President George W. Bush and served as the
United States' first Black Secretary of State.
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