NDIA statement on the passing of Colin Powell

ARLINGTON, VA -- Arnold Punaro, board chairman of the National Defense Industrial Association, offers the following statement on the passing of retired Army Gen. Colin Powell, Oct. 18:

Today, our nation mourns the loss of Colin Powell, a truly legendary and inspirational leader. In uniform, in government and in industry, he was a role model for the ages. His wisdom and counsel have been sought after by leaders from both sides of the aisle as well as the world, and his expertise and leadership will be greatly missed.

I am immensely fortunate to have first met Powell in the 1970s when he was an Army colonel. I worked with him throughout his career during my time on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Powell fully respected the role of Congress in decisions related to national security and always worked in a cooperative fashion with the defense and foreign policy committees. He would go on to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as National Security Adviser and as Secretary of State, among numerous accomplishments in his storied career.

Powell always put country over politics and service over self. Today’s leaders — in uniform and in the civilian world — should follow the examples that Powell had set. “

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends today.