By Douglas J. Lanzo
Copyright 2021

First published in the Pennsylvania Literary Journal, Spring 2022 Edition

He came from humble means,
raised in Harlem by Jamaican immigrants, 
who arrived in America
on a banana boat steamer,
only to witness their son
soar to the loftiest heights
 as a courageous soldier, wise statesman,
visionary military leader and principled moral leader,
while retaining the humility, work ethic  and
sacrificial service mentality that endeared
him to everyone he knew and served with,
whether on the battlefield or
in numerous Presidential administrations.

Called ‘Coh-lin’ by fellow kids in Harlem
rather than the Jamaican “Chal-in” pronunciation,
in honor of World War II hero and late B-17 Flying Fortress pilot, Colin Kelly Jr.,
who perished in battle  after selflessly evacuating his crew
before his bomber, engulfed in flames, exploded,
perhaps a harbinger of the selfless acts
of the recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Soldier’s Medal,
who in Vietnam rescued his comrades
from a burning command helicopter,
returning to the crashed helicopter multiple times
“’with complete disregard for his own safety and while injured himself.”

The author of the Powell Doctrine,
a prescient military doctrine named in his honor,  
four-star General Powell’s accomplishments are vast and diverse,
and his accomplishments an inspiration
for generations of Americans to follow,
among the highlights:
the first African American and Jamaican American Secretary of State
and outstanding Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
for Republican and Democratic Presidents,
both of whom awarded him the nation’s highest honor,
The Presidential Medal of Honor, with distinction;
yet, at the same time, this towering figure was human,
highly aware and admitting of his imperfections and
reflective upon his mistakes.

Having had the distinct honor of meeting
the then Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff in 1990
at the American Academy of Achievement,
where he spoke as a distinguished speaker,
he struck me as dignified yet humble,
an approachable giant with an incredible yet relatable story,
a gentle man whose moral power and authority
palpably emanated from the strength of character
that lay within.

With his tragic passing,
the light of our country and our world
discernibly dimmed, awaiting
a new generation of principled patriots
to raise America’s torch,
blazing yet imperfect, to new heights,
not for their glory, but in a sacrificial manner,
for the betterment of our nation and mankind.