On Friday, Alma Powell, the widow of Colin Powell led distinguished mourners at his funeral at noon ET. There was a ceremony held at the Washington National Cathedral where the US Army Brass quintet played a medley of songs including his favorites. Although he was fully vaccinated, the 84-year old veteran died of COVID-19 related complications. His family had said that his immune system was compromised as he was suffering from multiple myeloma, a type of cancer.

The Powell’s children Linda and Michael Powell, along with their grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews followed the casket. It was carried to the front of the cathedral.

Several people paid eulogies. They included his son Michael, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright
Richard Armitage, deputy secretary under Powell.

I put this little montage together. What struck me is how lovingly his family chose the music. “Three Little Birds;” “Dancing Queen” – atypical funereal fare, but they’re a reflection of the fact that those who loved him took such care that his final score be his favorite songs. https://t.co/yIfOSgIltL

– Ali Rogin (@AliRogin) November 6, 2021

The distinguished president, leaders and others who attended the service included the following:

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden
Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama
Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush
Former Vice President Dick Cheney
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mark Miley
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice
Secretary pf State Anthony Blinken
Biden adviser Susan Rice
State Department spokesperson Ned Price
Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Prominent people who missed the service included

Former President Bill Clinton who is recuperating from an illness.
Former President Jimmy Carter who is 97-years old and lives in Georgia
Former President Donal Trump for reasons unknown.

Colin Powell was born in Harlem, New York in 1937. He was the son of immigrants from Jamaica and rose to become a Pentagon leader. He was the first black Secretary of State in the nation. He was the first black man to serve as chairman of the Joint Chief of Staffs. He had a distinguished career that was marred by a 2003 speech in the United Nations when he declared that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, which was false. Later in life, he accepted that this announcement was a blot in his career.