Eulogies

By John McCain

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