Retired Army Gen. Colin Powell made news Thursday after a veteran who lost his leg in Afghanistan helped him change a tire on the side of a busy highway near the nation's capital.
Powell wrote on Facebook he was en route to a medical appointment at Walter Reed Military Hospital on Wednesday when his front left tire blew out on the Capitol Beltway. He jacked up the car and was in the process of removing the lug nuts — which he said were "very tight" — in the cold weather when another car parked ahead of him.
"As the man got out of his car I could see that he had an artificial leg. He said he recognized me and wanted to help me," the 81-year-old Powell wrote. "We chatted and I learned that he lost his leg in Afghanistan when he worked over there as a civilian employee.
"He grabbed the lug wrench and finished the job as I put the tools away. Then we both hurriedly headed off to appointments at Walter Reed."
Powell posted a photo of the man changing the tire and another of the two standing in front of his car. At the bottom of his post, Powell included a message he received from the good samaritan after the fact.
"Gen. Powell, I hope I never forget today because I'll never forget reading your books," the man who identified himself as Anthony Maggert wrote. "You were always an inspiration, a leader and statesman. After 33 years in the military you were the giant whose shoulders we stood upon to carry the torch to light the way and now it is tomorrow's generation that must do the same."
Powell said he was "touched" by Maggert's words.
"You touched my soul and reminded me about what this country is all about and why it is so great," he wrote. "Let's stop screaming at each other. Let's just take care of each other. You made my day."
Maggert, a Marine Corps veteran, posted about the encounter on his own Facebook page.
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