The Boeing Co. was among the big defense contractors who threw $340,000 worth of parties and other events to honor Defense Sect. Robert Gates last year, reports public watchdog CREW, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (D.C.). But Gates, the Bush-administration holdover who continues to maintain a home in Skagit County where he plans to retire sooner or later, “is the most ethical guy you will ever meet,” said Pentagon spokesperson Geoff Morrell. “He is a former Eagle scout, for goodness sake, and he does everything by the book.”Besides Boeing, those paying for events honoring Gates included BAE Systems Inc., Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and Science Applications International Corporation. CREW says the six companies also spent more than $67 million last year lobbying the Defense Department, other government agencies and Congress, seeking approval for their assorted weapons and systems. Runner-up among Biggest Feted Cabinet Officials was Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr., at $160,000. His going-away party was the best.