http://insider.washingtontimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20070616-121131-5604r
Key passages:
A Vietnam veteran, Gen. Pace indicated in his Norfolk comments that his experience in that war colored his decision not to quit voluntarily.
"The other piece for me personally was that some 40 years ago I left some guys on the battlefield in Vietnam who lost their lives following Second Lieutenant Pace," he said. "And I promised myself then that I will serve this country until I was no longer needed -- that it's not my decision. I need to be told that I'm done.
"I've been told I'm done."
Gen. Pace confirmed that Mr. Gates had told him he preferred to keep him as chairman but in mid-May began to see signs of opposition on Capitol Hill.
"This is a man who thinks nothing of himself. He has always put the military first," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. "The president was very reluctant to accept the recommendation of the secretary of defense, but he respects [Mr. Gates] and agrees with his assessment."
This is sickening to me, when you give a bum like George Tenant the Medal of Freedom, and go to the mattresses over AG Gonzalez, but at the first sign of anything being "contentious" the White House throws an honorable and decent Man under the bus, a Man that that has served with distinction and honor for 40 years. Notice how the WH spokesgal puts this on SecDef Gates.
As Sarge would say in "Beetle Bailey" this is a bunch of &$@#%.
Semper Fi