"Moreover, Kerry has participated with Zumwalt in dedicating a monument to the role of Swift boats..."
Yes, Zumwalt is quoted as saying nice things at a monument dedication for Swift boats that KERRY had pushed through Congress.
http://www.swiftboats.org/pcf1.htm I don't think it is too likely that Zumwalt is going to say anything too negative about Kerry under those circumstances. Though, if you read his other remarks at that event he tweaks Kerry by saying that Operation Sealord got the Navy out of Vietnam five years before the war ended.
Interestingly enough, Kerry didn't always feel this way about such monuments. But I guess this was important to him since it helps celebrate his non-stop heroism in Vietnam.
(Kerry has a wallm, really a shrine, in his Senate office dedicated to his heroic four months in VN. He even has a model of his PCF boat. Oddly enough JFK had had a model of his PT-109 in his Senate office.)
Anyway this is what he wrote about such things in his 1971 book "The New Soldier":
"We will not take solace from the creation of monuments or the naming of parks after a select few of the thousands of dead Americans and Vietnamese. We will not uphold traditions which decorously memorialize that which was base and grim."
He meant of course, except when the select few people being honored including himself.
Interesting points... but remember... ADM Zumwalt made this comment back in 77 when he was CNO... .
Things had to look a lot different when the old seadog had been out of the limelight for years 20 years later and Kerry held the gangplank.
We saw what happened to ADM Moorer with the CBS nerve gas "expose"
When it comes to Vietnam, Kerry truly is a walking contradiction. Kerry is obviously obsessed with Vietnam, but I think more out of political calculation than an emotional investment--at least his brief wartime experience. His anti-war activities are probably more influential on his world view.
Vietnam has worked well for Kerry in terms of furthering his political ambitions. Why should he stop now? Vietnam and his band of brothers have been used in most of his campaigns. He used the VVAW to gain national prominence, appearing on MTP and 60 minutes, after his early out from the USN and failed Congressional bid. Unfortunately, Kerry has learned the wrong lessons from Vietnam, which make him a poor choice to be CIC. I doubt if he could employ US military power to protect our vital national interests. He seems to think US military force is to be used only for humanitarian causes.
Zumwalt's relationship with Kerry could have been influenced by his [Zumwalt's] son's battle with Agent Orange and eventual death. Kerry was active in Congress in seeking redress for veterans who were affected. This may have mellowed Zumwalt's attitude toward Kerry.
See my post #48. Kerry has plenty of experience of dealing with those who question his war record. We know his playbook. I still think his service records need to be released, but GWB should not be associated in any way with that effort. Bill Weld tried it and lost.