Happy Birthday Colin Powell

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure” - Colin Powell

(Colin Powell)

Colin Powell was born on April 5th, 1937 in Harlem, New York City, New York, USA. Powell was raised in the South Bronx. Powell graduated high school in 1954.

(Colin Powell in ROTC)

Powell received his BS degree in geology from the City College of New York in 1958. Also in 1958 Powell joined the military. In 1962 Powell served a tour in Vietnam as a South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) advisor. Powell was injured in Vietnam which shortened his tour. Also in 1962 Powell married Alma Johnson. In 1968 Powell returned to Vietnam. During his second tour in Vietnam he was decorated for bravery after he survived a helicopter crash, single-handedly rescuing three others.

(Powell in Vietnam)

In 1971 Powell earned an MBA degree from the George Washington University. In 1972 Powell served a White House Fellowship. In 1975 he attended the National War College in Washington D.C. In 1983 Powell became senior military assistant to Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger. In 1986 Powell took over the command of V Corps in Frankfurt, Germany. In 1987 Powell became President Reagan's National Security Advisor. In 1989 Powell was promoted to 4 star general.

(Powell as a 4 star general)

He became only the third general since World War II to reach four-star rank without ever serving as a division commander. Later that year he was selected as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Powell oversaw 28 crises during his time as 4 star general. Powell’s last assignment ended in 1993.

(Powell in 1993)

In 1995 Powell began to campaign for Republican candidates. In 1997 Powell founded America's Promise with the objective of helping children from all socioeconomic sectors. Powell endorsed George W. Bush in the 2000 election.

(Powell (Left) and George W. Bush (Right))

In 2003 Powell's chief role was to garner international support for a multi national coalition to mount the invasion of Iraq. In 2005 Powell retired from secretary of state. In September of 2005 Powell criticized the response to Hurricane Katrina. Powell said that thousands of people were not properly protected because they were poor rather than because they were black. In 2008 Powell served as a spokesperson for National Mentoring Month. In 2009 Powell advised President Obama against surging US forces in Afghanistan.

(Powell (Left) and Barack Obama (Right))

Today is his 79th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday Colin Powell.

Videos of Colin Powell

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocSw1m30UBI   “The Essence of Leadership”      

(P.S. sorry for the late post)