Michael Powell, former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s son, paid tribute to his father, calling him a “great lion with a big heart.”
During Colin Powell’s funeral service held at the Washington National Cathedral Friday, Michael Powell reflected on his father’s character.
“One of my most powerful memories comes from holding my dad’s hand. I was hurt very badly and lying in an ICU bed following a bad accident. It was the middle of the night, yet my father was by my side after a long day of work,” Michael Powell said.
He added, “I was squirming in pain and anguish. Without a word he just took my hand and squeezed it with a father’s love.”
Reflecting on the last night of his father’s life, Michael Powell explained, “Now he was the one lying in an ICU bed. He could not see or speak to me. So I took his hand, just as he had taken mine decades before. I knew everything was not going to be okay.”
He went on to say his father made a “monumental difference.”
Michael Powell continued, “He lived, he lived well. I’ve heard it asked, ‘Are we still making his kind?’ I believe the answer to that question is up to us. To honor his legacy, I hope we do more than consign him to the history books. I hope we recommit ourselves to being a nation where we are still making his kind.”
Watch his remarks below:
"Colin Powell was a great lion with a big heart. We will miss him terribly."
— CNN (@CNN) November 5, 2021
Michael Powell, Colin Powell's son, made a heartfelt tribute to his father and painted a picture of what he was like at home, when not making major decisions on the world stage. https://t.co/oc4rsL62gM pic.twitter.com/QCoj0Bo7Wk
Concluding his remarks, Michael Powell said, “Colin Powell was a great lion with a big heart. We will miss him terribly.”
The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and national security adviser died last month due to complications from COVID-19 at the age of 84, as IJR previously reported.
President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and former Secretary Hillary Clinton were among those who attended the service.
