Retired Gen. Colin L. Powell, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was presented with a recorded copy of his bestselling autobiography, My American Journey, May 30, by Frank Kurt Cylke, director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) at the Library of Congress.
"This is a remarkable free national library service for blind and physically handicapped individuals. I am honored to have my book recorded as a talking book by the Library of Congress," the general said. Mr. Cylke played the general's book on the Library of Congress audiocassette machine and described the national reading program to the general in an animated discussion, punctuated with humor and anecdotes. Also participating were Wells "Brad" Kormann, chief of the NLS Materials Development Division, a West Point graduate, who currently serves as a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, and Robert Fistick, head of the NLS Publications and Media Section, a Vietnam veteran and military journalist.
Gen. Powell then presented the copy of his audio book to George Brummell, a field- service representative of the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), who accepted on behalf of the many thousands of blind and otherwise handicapped veterans participating in the talking-book program. Mr. Brummell was permanently blinded as a result of a land mine explosion in Vietnam, where he served in the 25th Infantry Divison.
Gen. Powell acknowledged "the sacrifice of their sight that blinded veterans have made for our nation, as well as the sacrifices of all veterans ... many of whom gave their lives ... and I want you to know my strong support for veterans. This recording allows blinded veterans the opportunity to read my book. I very much appreciate the Library of Congress providing this national library service."
Mr. Cylke pointed out that the BVA was specifically mentioned in the 1931 enabling legislation, the Pratt-Smoot Act, that created the talking-book program.
Also participating from BVA were: the national president, Maj. Gen. Richard Fazakerley, who retired in 1981 and is a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam; he lost his vision because of macular degeneration; Thomas Miller, BVA national executive director, who served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam, where he was permanently blinded as the result of a land mine explosion; and Chris Bentley, BVA director of communications, who served for five years as a broadcast journalist in the Army.
A national best-seller, My American Journey tells the story of Colin Powell's early years growing up in New York City, his remarkable military career of 35 years, culminating with his rise to the rank of four-star general, and service in senior positions under Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton. Gen. Powell's book is available for talking-book program patrons in recorded format. It may be obtained from cooperating libraries.