 |
Eulogies
By Senator John McCain
January 10, 2000
Web posted at: 11:28 a.m. EST (1628 GMT)
It's hard for me to think about ADMIRAL ELMO ("BUD") ZUMWALT
without thinking about fathers and sons who serve together in
the military. Admiral Zumwalt was my father's friend; they
served together during the Vietnam War. Zumwalt had attained the
highest command in the U.S. Navy, Chief of Naval Operations. My
father was commander-in-chief of U.S. forces in the Pacific. My
father ordered warplanes to bomb Hanoi while I was a prisoner of
war there. Admiral Zumwalt ordered the use of Agent Orange in
combat areas where his son served.
The admiral came to see me some years ago to discuss veterans
with diseases caused by Agent Orange and the need to fund
research. At the time, his son was dying from cancer caused by
Agent Orange. The admiral knew, as my father knew, that his
decision had been necessary to save the lives of many other
Americans. I told him how sorry I was about his son. He said
simply, "I'm proud of him. He did his duty." To some that might
seem like a stinting remark, but military families recognize it
as the most loving praise a father could give a son. Had he
outlived his father, the admiral's son would mourn his loss, as
do I, by saying, "We're proud of you, sir. You did your duty and
earned your rest."
--By Senator John McCain
|
