The Kerry/Alston point is also helpful in dispelling the myth that these BOB built up a close relationship based on their long service together. If Alston only served with Kerry for a week, why give him such prominence? Because he is black preacher. You can bet that Kerry's people wrote Alston's convention speech including the implied idea that Alston was present when Kerry beached the boat during the Silver Star episode.
What we really need is a breakdown of the Band of Brothers showing when they served with Kerry. We know Gardner served over two months with Kerry, perhaps the longest of them all. Yet, he is with SBVFT. It would be very revealing.
I'll give Alston the benefit of this, that "served with" includes more activity than being on the same boat, or even being in the same flotilla. With this understanding of "served with," I figure Kerry and Alston's relationship is longer than one week.
That being said, the phrasing that Kerry and Alston use naturally leads to a false conclusion about the nature of their time together. That is a deliberate deception, no doubt. But, it is a small deception compared with lying about hostile action in order to obtain medals.
Del Sandusky