A story about Colin Powell
Whike I was doing TDY (temporary duty) in Dharhan, Saudi Arabia, a rumor went out around the base that Gen Powell was coming; then one of the Army Sargeants called asking for chairs for the event for his troops; soon, just about every African American on that base tried their level best to be a part of that number; well anyhow, there was Master Sergeant that had a slot open but she wasn’t interested in going so she let this other sister go; I am sure to this day she is kicking herself on that but I am grateful for Suzy for doing it; And that morning, we all went to the other side of the base, where we went into this briefing room so small but jam packed; one of the officers briefed us on what to say and what to ask the General; he was about to retire from the Army and all by then(Summer 1993), and we knew he was on to bigger and better; well, he came in that room and we ALL proudly stood at attention; He first thanked us for coming as well as coming over here and leaving family and such behind to serve in Saudi Arabia and that a grateful nation thanked us; I took that personally because at the time, I had to go and I had two toddlers and I had less than two weeks to get my act together and get there no lie; anyway, he basically did a question and answer session with the troops who hung on to his every word; I can still remember that day; Saudi is real hot, so that room was cool and despite the numbers of folk in the room. after the session, we ALL stood at attention and he filed out the room, then the Saudi contingency then our commanders followed by us; The whole thing lasted about an hour. no, I didn’t shake his hand or anything, but I was DEFINITELY in the same room with him; I was real proud of him then because he was from the Bronx and so am I; he is of Carribean ancestry and so am I; so I just had to be in that room one way or another. later on that day, I called home to Alabama to tell my folks about it and they said they felt I would meet him because they knew he was in the area from TV.
