Flags to be Flown at Half-Staff

Governor Ivey, in accordance with the presidential presidential proclamation, directed flags be flown at half-staff immediately to honor the longstanding service of former United States Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Colin Luther Powell, who passed away this morning, October 18, 2021.

Per Governor Ivey, Gen. Powell dedicated his life to serving our great nation, with 35 of those years being in the U.S. Army. During this time, he served two tours in Vietnam, was stationed in West Germany and South Korea, and acted as President Ronald Reagan’s Deputy National Security Advisor in 1987 before becoming National Security Advisor in 1988. In 1989, he was promoted to the rank of general and was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to the position of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed Gen. Powell as Secretary of State, making him the first African-American to serve in that capacity.

Alabama joins in mourning the passing of one of our nation’s finest leaders and trailblazers. Gen. Powell was a patriot and true statesman for our country; his legacy will continue to inspire all of us. Governor Ivey also stated, “On behalf of the state of Alabama, I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Alma and their family”.

The flags are to be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Friday, October 22, 2021.