The president folded the letter and put it in his pocket. “And now, I’d like to ask a very special lady to come forward.” The marines swung open the double doors again. The First Lady of the United States stepped out first. Then another woman stepped out. The two women walked across the lawn toward the podium, but it was not until they had nearly reached the podium that Diane recognized the second woman.
The president spoke again. “The Presidential Medal of Freedom is this nation’s highest civilian award. The medal was first established by President Harry Truman to honor civilians for distinguished service in time of war. On February 22, 1963, the 231st birthday of George Washington, President John F. Kennedy expanded the eligibility for receiving the medal when he signed this executive order. Presidential Medals of Freedom shall be awarded to persons ‘for especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, or world peace, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.’
“Past recipients of the medal include Pope John Paul II, Martin Luther King Jr., President Ronald Reagan, and Mother Teresa.
“Today, I have the pleasure of presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to a woman, who, facing fear and death, courageously put her life on the line and in doing so, saved the lives of millions.” He turned around and looked and smiled at the woman standing next to his wife. “The Presidential Medal of Freedom is hereby awarded to Kristina Wulandari.”
Applause broke out as the pretty young Indonesian woman stepped forward. She sheepishly bowed. President Williams put the medal around her neck. He kissed her on the cheek, and then gave her a long hug. “Thank you,” the president could be heard saying over the applause. “Thank you so much.” Photographers stepped forward and snapped photographs to commemorate the historic moment.
The applause subsided, and Kristina walked over and stood beside Mrs. Williams.
“There are others to be thanked for the fact that we are standing here today…Other members of the United States military to whom many of us owe our lives”-he looked at the SEAL team and at Commander Belk-“and to whom I personally owe my life.”
The president pulled another letter from his coat. “On August 7, 1942, Congress made the Navy Cross a combat-only decoration with precedence over the Distinguished Service Medal, making it the navy’s second-highest-ranking award, ranking only below the Congressional Medal of Honor.”
The president looked up from the podium again. “To Captain Noble, and to each and every member of SEAL Team One, Platoons Alpha and Charlie; to Lieutenant Commander Belk, to Lieutenant Commander Brewer, and to Lieutenant Commander Colcernian, your nation is grateful for your heroic actions in defending your country during the Indonesian operations of this past winter. To each of you, you are this day being awarded the Navy Cross.
“Please step up as I call your names.” He looked first at Captain Noble. “Captain Buck Noble.” Captain Noble marched sharply to the podium, saluted the president, then stood erect as the president lifted the medal from a silk pillow being held by the chaplain. “Congratulations, Captain,” the president said, as he pinned the medal on the SEAL’s chest.
“Thank you, sir.” Noble shot a sharp salute, pivoted, and returned to the line.
“Lieutenant Commander Billy Belk, front and center.”
The process continued, until finally, “Lieutenant Commander Diane Colcernian, front and center!”
Despite facing down death on multiple occasions over the past few years, this moment flooded Diane with a strange nervousness. She came to attention, stepped ten paces forward, stopped in front of the podium, and saluted her commander in chief.
The president stepped out to her, along with the chief of chaplains, holding the silk pillow with her Navy Cross.
President Williams picked up the medal, and as he was pinning it to her blue uniform, he spoke softly. “Diane, I know your dad would have been so proud of you.”
Emotion overwhelmed her when the president mentioned her father. “Thank you, Mr. President,” she whispered.
“He was a fine naval officer and a great man.”
“Thank you, sir.” Her voice was beginning to tremble.
“There.” He finished pinning the medal on her lapel. “That should do it.” He looked into her eyes. “You gonna be okay?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Fall back into line.”
“Yes, sir.” She shot him a final salute, then pivoted and walked back to the line of navy blue, where one officer had yet to receive his medal.
“Lieutenant Commander Zack Brewer, front and center.”
Zack stepped forward, by far the best-looking man in the Rose Garden, in Diane’s opinion. Just the subtle swagger in his step still made her melt. At that moment it hit her, suddenly, after all these years…the confidence, the swagger, the handsome dimple contrasted against his gentleness. Zack’s many traits were those of the man she had loved first and loved the most, her father. How could she not have seen it until now?
Zack snapped a sharp salute at the president, who stepped forward with Admiral Lettow to pin on the Navy Cross. They were all conversing privately for a moment, as the president had done with her and several other officers.
She knew that the president had a special fondness for Zack, but this conversation was lingering noticeably longer than any of the others.
The president stepped back behind the podium, motioning Zack to stand beside him.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as many of you know, Lieutenant Commander Brewer is known throughout the nation as the JAG officer who has successfully prosecuted several high-profile cases in the war on terror. Commander Brewer has asked to say a few words, and as his commander in chief, he has my blessing. Zack?”
Zack strode with confidence to the presidential podium, as if about to address a jury, or as if he were the president himself. Zack had once turned down an opportunity to get out of the navy and run for Congress. He loved the navy too much. But perhaps, she thought, as he reached the podium with an ease and charisma that exuded even before he spoke, there may be a political career for him after all.
“Mr. President, Mr. Secretary.” He turned and acknowledged those behind him. “Admirals Smith and Lettow, Captain Noble, I am honored for this opportunity to speak just a few words on this bittersweet occasion in our nation’s history.”
A pause. How does he do this with no notes?
“For today,” he continued, “there is a bitterness indeed as we contemplate the loss of life of our shipmates on board USS Port Royal, many of whom gave their lives in the defense of freedom, as also we remember the thousands who died in Philadelphia.
“But it is also a sweet occasion. We are thankful that our nation lives. The great city of San Francisco and our nation’s capital have been spared by the grace of God and by the acts of the United States military.
“This all started with an evil conspiracy, in a beautiful place, far, far away. That conspiracy is now known by the press as the Malaccan Conspiracy. And the lessons of the Malaccan Conspiracy are these.” He paused and eyed the officers, holding his gaze on her. “That life, especially life in the navy, is fleeting. Today, we are in the Rose Garden. Tomorrow, we may be in some far corner of the world responding to duty, doing our best to defend the Constitution and to help keep peace and freedom for all Americans. We go where duty calls. And make no mistake. We are glad and honored to do it.