Pfluger celebrates Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic renaming ceremony

Jul. 31—WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) spoke at the name-changing ceremony officially designating the San Angelo VA Clinic as the Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic following the passage of legislation introduced by Congressman August Pfluger and Senator John Cornyn.

"In 1995, I was seeking a nomination to the Air Force Academy, and Charles and JoAnne Powell interviewed and guided me through the application process. Today, nearly 30 years later, it is incredibly humbling to have had the opportunity to introduce and pass the legislation renaming the VA Clinic in honor of Col. Charles and JoAnne Powell. They are both true American heroes who dedicated their lives to serving our country through a distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force, and later in civilian life when they became two of the most ardent advocates for veterans and military members. They made San Angelo their home and they have made this community better in every way. Now, every veteran who walks in for care at the clinic—and every person in the community who drives by—will be a part of the legacy of Charles and JoAnne," Pfluger said.

Colonel Charles E. Powell was a Texas native and a 30-year Air Force pilot who volunteered to serve in Vietnam as a Rescue Crew Commander flying 168 combat missions and later served as Commander of the 17th Training Wing at Goodfellow Air Force Base. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Legions of Merit, and the Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters. After his Air Force career, Colonel Powell served his community as a board member for United Way of Texas, Boy Scouts of Southwest Texas, Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, and the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, earning Citizen of the Year by the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, the Distinguished Citizen of the Year award from the Boy Scouts of Southwest Texas, and Veteran of the Year at Angelo State University. He also served on Senator Cornyn's Service Academy Selection Board for more than a decade helping to review applications from Texas students applying for a nomination to U.S. service academies.

His wife, JoAnne served as a Congressional District Office Manager and regional staff aide to four Members of Congress: Tom Loeffler, Lamar Smith, Mike Conaway, and August Pfluger throughout her 35 years of service. She served on the boards of the Red Cross, Meals for the Elderly, Hospice of San Angelo, and was frequently referred to as "the First Lady of Goodfellow Air Force Base."

Colonel Powell passed away on July 2, 2020 and JoAnne Powell passed on March 24, 2021. The couple was married for 65 years.