Rumsfeld says worst time as Pentagon chief was Abu Ghraib revelations

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Rumsfeld says worst time as Pentagon chief was Abu Ghraib revelations

PENTAGON (AP) — Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the worst day of his nearly six years in charge at the Pentagon was when he learned of the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse in Iraq.

Rumsfeld told Pentagon employees in a farewell town hall meeting that he remembers “feeling so deeply sorry” for what happened at the prison.

Moments later, he said with a smile his best day will probably be a week from Monday — when he turns over the Pentagon to Robert Gates.

Rumsfeld received warm applause and cheers both at the beginning and end of the sometimes emotional meeting. He choked up briefly while telling the crowd about a bracelet a woman in Alaska gave him as a reminder of sacrifices made by some soldiers who've had their stay in Iraq extended. He has vowed to keep wearing the green woven bracelet until the 172nd Stryker Brigade returns home.