San Angelo VA clinic getting new name to honor late Powell couple
The VA clinic in San Angelo soon will have a new name.
On Wednesday, the office of U.S. Representative August Pfluger, who represents the the 11th Congressional District that includes Tom Green County, announced that the outpatient clinic here will be named for the late Col. Charles and JoAnne Powell.
The Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell VA Clinic Act was authored by Pfluger and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.
Charles Powell was a Texas native who served for 30 years in the U.S. Air Force. He volunteered as a rescue crew commander during the Vietnam War, flying 168 combat missions. He later served as commander of the 17th Training Wing at Goodfellow Air Force Base.
He died July 2, 2020, and his wife died March 24, 2021. They were married for 65 years.
“Colonel Powell and JoAnne dedicated their lives to serving our country,” Pfluger said in a statement. “The impact they made on San Angelo, Goodfellow Air Force Base, and our entire military community cannot be overstated. Their unparalleled patriotism and service made the Concho Valley a better place. I am extremely proud that now every veteran who walks in for care at the clinic will be inspired by the service of Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell.”
Added Cornyn, “The work done by Colonel Charles and JoAnne Powell spanned decades and impacted thousands of West Texans. I’m grateful to Congressman Pfluger for joining with me on this, and I can think of no recognition more fitting to the Powells and their support of veterans than a VA clinic named in their honor.”
JoAnne Powell served as a congressional district office manager and regional staff aide to Congress members Tom Loeffler, Lamar Smith and Mike Conaway, who preceded Pfluger. She also served with Pfluger during her 35 years in that capacity.
The couple served in volunteer capacities, with Charles Powell named Citizen of the Year by the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce. He similarly was honored by Boy Scouts of Southwest Texas.
Known as "the first lady of Goodfellow Air Force Base," JoAnne Powell served the Red Cross, Meals for the Elderly and Hospice of San Angelo.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: San Angelo VA clinic getting new name to honor late Powell couple
