Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 21, 1995 TAG: 9510230037
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KERRY DeROCHI LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium
They snapped to attention and saluted as Powell walked briskly between them, his own arm raised in a stiff and solemn greeting.
The ceremony was meant to honor the four-star general, to pay tribute to his tenure as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his role as the leader in the Persian Gulf War.
But to some, it meant so much more.
``One day, we'll be saluting him as president,'' said a Navy chief.
Speculation over whether Powell would enter the 1996 presidential race dominated discussions among the thousands waiting for a chance to meet the general and get his signature on his new book, ``My American Journey.''
The Norfolk stop was the final appearance on a 23-city book-signing tour that took Powell from California to Detroit and Atlanta. He had signed more than 57,000 books before arriving in Norfolk at 10:30 a.m.
At a brief news conference outside the Navy Exchange, Powell said he would make a decision on whether to launch a campaign within the next few weeks, after meeting with his family and close friends.
He denied reports that he had been meeting with Republican strategists about a possible campaign and took offense to recent media reports suggesting he had shifted his political positions to gain the support of conservative Christians.
While he credits the ``Christian Right'' with returning the country's focus to family values and morals, he does not agree with all portions of their legislative agenda, he said.
``I'm not trying to cozy up to anybody,'' he said.
Powell, dismissing any thoughts that he would run as a Democrat, said his two choices were to seek the Republican nomination or launch an independent campaign. He described entering the Republican primaries as the easier of the options.
``The independent route has never been successful,'' Powell said. ``However, there is some energy in that idea. There is an interest in an independent movement that I've determined as I've traveled around the country.''
Powell, standing before a giant poster bearing his name, gave no prepared remarks but responded to questions to topics ranging from the medical care of Gulf War veterans to the recent refusal of a U.S. Army soldier to wear the United Nations insignia.
When asked what advice he would give teen-agers, Powell said he would tell them not to look ``for celebrities, generals or football players'' to be their role models.
``Your role models are all around you,'' he said. ``Your parents. Your teachers.''
After the news conference, Powell walked into the exchange, where he signed 2,012 books in less than three hours. He next went to Prince Books and Coffee House in downtown Norfolk, where a line of fans ran from the front door, two blocks west along East Main Street, then north a block on Waterside Drive.
With military precision, the general's car pulled up to the curb at 3 p.m.. The cheering crowd surged forward as Powell, smiling, shook hands and stood for a few quick photos before striding inside for his last formal session of signings.
Those who waited in line at the Navy base said they were drawn to the event by the general's stature as a military leader.
Greg Barrell, 44, an Army master sergeant from Fort Lee outside of Petersburg, drove 102 miles Thursday night to make sure he was first in line at the Navy base. He arrived at 10 p.m., took a pillow and blanket, and slept in the back seat of his brown Oldsmobile.
At 5:30 a.m., he walked to the door and sat on a green canvas stool.
``There's something about him that interests me,'' Barrell said. ``Maybe it's the honesty he expresses. It's a feeling. Maybe it's because I'm military. He's military.
``I'm not much into politics. In fact, I've never voted before in my life. If he runs, I'm voting for him.''
Ajaye Carter met Powell five years ago in Saudi Arabia, when American forces were preparing for the war. Powell walked into his space on the hospital ship Mercy. Carter remembers the feeling.
``When he walked into our room, you could feel his presence, it was that power,'' Carter said. ``You shook his hand and felt the adrenaline passing through you. It was very emotional.
``You just saw the glow, the energy, this gentleman has.''
Carter, 39, said he came to the Navy base Friday to see if he felt the same now that Powell is a civilian. He keeps a photograph of the general in the office where he works as an equal opportunity specialist. It's a reminder of what a young black man can achieve, he said.
``He is an example of a product of society who had a choice in life, took it and made something of himself,'' Carter said. ``He created his own opportunities.''
Landmark News Service writer Dave Addis contributed information to this story.
by CNB