In Memoriam

Attendees of today's memorial ceremony for the late Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) heard a number of anecdotes about working with the congressman, including from Defense Secretary Robert Gates and National Security Adviser James Jones.

Gates:

In October 2008, about a month before the election, Jack and I were meeting alone, and he showed me a press article he had marked up. It was a piece speculating about whether Senator Obama, if he won, would ask me to stay at Defense and, if he did, whether I'd agree. In his inimitable way, Jack put his hand on my arm and said, "If he asks, you have to do it. I say I want you to stay." Now, coming from Jack, that had a real impact on me, even though I've somewhat edited his language for this occasion.

Jones:

I accompanied him to Sarajevo in 2003 (sic), which was not a real good time to visit Sarajevo. As we were getting off a C-130 and hurrying quickly to the shelter, a piece of shrapnel flew past us and impacted on a -- on some sandbags about 20 or 30 feet in front of us, and he turned and looked at me and he says, "Well, I guess they know we're here."