General and statesman Colin Powell’s work was as a politician, diplomat and four-star general.

But to us and so many Americans, what he represented mattered most; honor, ingenuity, bravery and integrity.

We mourn the loss of our country’s first African-American Secretary of State, first African-American national security adviser and first African-American chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

We also send condolences to his family and friends during this time.

Gen. Colin Powell, we salute you.

We salute your legacy.

We salute you for a life well lived.

Photo credit: Stephen Voss/Redux Pictures via Politico.com]