Half-Staff Village Flags Honor Former Gen. Colin Powell

TINLEY PARK, IL — The Village of Tinley Park is honoring the life of former U.S. Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell by flying village flags at half-staff through Friday. Powell, a trailblazer with a storied military and diplomatic career, died Monday at age 84.

He was the first Black U.S. Secretary of State and Joint Chiefs chairman. Powell died of complications of COVID-19, his family said Monday on social media. The 84-year-old died at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Powell was fully vaccinated, the family said.

Flags were lowered to half-staff at government buildings including the White House, Pentagon and State Department. At the White House, President Joe Biden said Powell "embodied the highest ideals of both warrior and diplomat."

Former President George W. Bush called Powell, whom he made his Secretary of State in 2001, "a great public servant" who was "widely respected t home and abroad."

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair described Powell as "a towering figure in American military and political leadership, a hugely likable and warm personality and a great companion, with a lovely and self-deprecating sense of humour." » Gen. Colin Powell, Former Joint Chiefs Chairman, Has Died + 11 Photos: Remembering Gen. Colin Powell, both via Across America Patch

Patch Editor Beth Dalbey contributed to this report.