Colin Powell

(http://www.themilitaryleader.com/priceless-colin-p ())

'What my color is is somebody else's problem, not mine. People will say, `You're a terrific black general.' I'm trying to be the best general I can be.'"-Colin Powell. Colin Powell strong courageous personality displays a man who cares for what truly matters. Colin Powell didn't care about his or other people's race. He believes and knows like many others, that we are all equal. He even fought for his and the nation's freedom. "Colin Luther Powell was born on April 5, 1937, to Jamaican immigrants in New York, NY, the Bronx. He is the Son of Luther (a shipping clerk) and Maud Arlel (a seamstress) Powell . Later he married Alma Vivian Johnson (a speech pathologist) in August 25, 1962. His children are Michael, Linda, and Annemarie" ("Colin Powell." Contemporary). Powell's became first assigned at the Fulda Gap in West Germany for two years. In the next two years he served in Massachusetts, where he met his wife. Powell served two tours of duty in Vietnam and received 11 medals for exemplary service. Colin Powell is also a retired Four-Star United States Army General who became the first African American to serve as National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff and Secretary of State. A hero must possess noble characteristics and a moral mindset to be truly considered a hero. The hero's noble characteristics becomes the things that define his personality like being honest, honorable, loyal, etc. A moral mindset is considering what appears right and wrong when you make decisions. It justifies what you truly care about. Colin Powell is a true hero shown through his bravery, caring nature, and inspiring life.

Colin Powell proves his bravery in many ways shown throughout his life. At the beginning of his career, Colin Powell already presented his bravery during the Vietnam war: " His first assignment for the U.S. Army was at the Fulda Gap in West Germany, where American and allied troops stood as an obstacle on the Soviet bloc's most likely invasion route of Western Europe" ("Colin Powell" American). During Powell's military career, he always followed orders. His bravery was displayed, when he followed those orders. For example, even though it was his first assignment, he had to be part of a defensive force that was blocking the invasion route with the highest chance of being attacked. There was so much danger and risk, but he still became apart of that defensive force. Then, according to Stoner, Powell showed that, "Despite speculations about internal dissension, Powell continued to faithfully advance the administration's policy agenda. In early February 2003 he presented the United Nations Security Council with the case for military action against Iraq. Presenting supposed evidence based on U.S. and other intelligence sources, Powell diagrammed what he called "a deliberate campaign" by Iraq to mislead UN weapons inspectors and to hide existing stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons as well as the means to produce more of both" (Stoner). During this time Powell had many challenges, like September 11th and the nuclear controversy in North Korea. Speculations, criticism, and the pressure from the importance of the plan didn't stop Powell from bravely making his it, tackling these problems described by John Stoner. True bravery is displayed by Powell through his military and political career. Even though he always had to make the hard decisions, he still faces them head on with no hesitation.

(http://www.whale.to/b/powell.html ())

Powell demonstrates to be a passionately caring person, always thinking about others and family. In the biography "Colin Powell" Contemporary Heroes, Powell is described with, "His unapologetic patriotism and humble background appealed to Americans in a way that transcended racial divisions, and as a result he was urged to run for political office." ("Colin Powell" Contemporary Heroes). Colin Powell was always caring and humble. He inspires others to believe in him. His care for others and exemplary leadership is noticed by many. In the biography, "Colin Powell" American, it illustrates how Powell puts all his effort into helping his country because of his care for others: "During his tenure at the NSC, Powell did speak out on a number of issues he felt were important to national security, including economic strength, control of technology exchanges, protection of the environment, a stable defense budget, free trade and foreign investment, research and development, and education... As a soldier, Powell demonstrated a firm commitment to protecting his country and securing a world where democratic values can flourish." Powell cares for others, which also affected his decision making in the office and in the military. He thought about the country's future and what he believed would be best for it. Powell used all his power to improve national security; protection of the environment, and education. Powell is recognized for his caring nature, giving a hope to others and a reason they should believe in him.

Colin Powell Awarded His 2nd Presidential Medal (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkec-7Ijezs ())

Powell's characteristics of bravery, caring nature, and his inspiring life proves that he is a true hero. Through all the war and trials, Powell still joined military and went into politics bravely. Then, he presented how caring he was for others in his work, and what he could do to make a change. "The Persian Gulf War created many heroes, and in the eyes of more than a few people, Powell stood tallest. Balancing his country's political objectives against the realities of the military situation, he managed to handle both with exceptional skill and diplomacy and in the process restored public confidence in the armed forces. His unapologetic patriotism and humble background appealed to Americans in a way that transcended racial divisions,... no political desires and preferred to be thought of as a role model rather than a hero."(Butler) Powell inspires others, even to great leaders and his leadership broke the boundaries of race and color which presents true character. Colin Powell should be recognized as a hero. His traits define what and who a hero should be and represents.

Works Cited

Butler, Gerry. "Powell, Colin (1937-)." Powell, Colin (1937- ) | The Black Past: Remembered

and Reclaimed. BlackPast.org, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.

"Colin Powell." American Decades, edited by Judith S. Baughman, et al., Gale, 1998. Biography

in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1602000810/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=46f142bd.

Accessed 28 Apr. 2017.

"Colin Powell." Contemporary Black Biography, vol. 75, Gale, 2009. Biography in

Context,link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1606004473/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=0c75dc92.

Accessed 28 Apr. 2017.

Stoner, John. "Colin Powell." Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History, Gale,

2006. Biography in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K3444701025/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=a62054ab. Accessed 28 Apr. 2017.