Applause surged through the gallery as every person stood and expressed their agreement. It was evident that everyone was angry at what happened and was ready to do something about it. The President wondered if it had been the same way during Roosevelt’s speech after Pearl Harbor.
“All of the weapons used were launched within 50 miles of our coasts. Who did it, we do not yet know. They acted as thieves. They sneaked up on our coasts and struck, then departed, leaving no traces. So, as we speak, we still do not know who did this. But we are not alone. These same type devices were used in the Pacific against our allies Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia and other nations on the Pacific Rim. Someone is intent on eliminating the capabilities of certain nations. Again, we are not alone. Since that day our staunch ally, Great Britain, has come to our aid. They were the first to tell us what knocked us down, and the first to offer their hand in friendship. Great Britain stands beside us.”
Applause resounded again.
“Since this happened, more than eighty nations have been in contact with us via the hotline. All deplore this dastardly act and offer their assistance.”
More applause.
“And we have not been sitting idle. We have met with industrial and business leaders of this nation. Already we are working to restore the communications so quickly taken from us.”
Applause.
“I have taken the steps to get the trains and other forms of transportation operating again to keep our people fed and electricity flowing.”
Applause again.
“Over the coming weeks I will be working with the military leadership to field an Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps that will be ready to mete out the justice our American casualties cry out for.”
Applause
“But to do everything needing to be done, we must work together. We must find the ways to restore what this nation lost, to stand up to those who struck out at us, and to take the steps to make sure this never happens again.”
Applause.
“The United States has been struck from behind. We have been wounded by an unknown assailant that remains hiding like a coward in the dark. We have been knocked to our knees. But we have not been knocked out.”
Applause.
“One of my staff said it right. This is not a political situation. It is a military one. No one deplores sending our young men and women into combat more than I, but that time has come.”
Applause.
“Therefore, I ask the Congress to declare that the United States is now in a state of war.”
The House erupted in applause as everyone jumped to their feet, applauding and yelling their support. After a few moments, the President continued.
“We will continue to search for our attacker. We will find the nation responsible. And when we do, they will feel the full power and might that this nation can produce.”
The men and women stood cheering again.
“I will work closely with the Congress to bring about our ultimate victory and to set right the peace of the world. We did not start this fight. Until two days ago, we harbored no ill will toward any nation on this earth. In fact, we have set the standard for peaceful coexistence with all nations. But this fight has come to us, and we will not back away.”
Applause.
“We have a long way to go. I do not know how long this will take, or how far this shall go. But go we will, and together we will achieve ultimate victory,” he said completing his speech.
The floor erupted one last time, and the Congress voted quickly to place the United States on a war footing. Within minutes the orders went out to everyone. All veterans and retirees were ordered activated and to report to the nearest reserve center. All military industrial centers began bringing in workers, retirees, and hiring new labor to begin gearing up. A draft was instituted, and the call went out to gather any and all pieces of working military gear. The United States was activated. The nation was gearing up for war.
Colonel Claire Richardson was bone tired. She had spent a day in the CH-46 flying to Memphis. While there, she surveyed the destruction, set some things in motion, and 24 hours later was flying back. It was particularly dark around Washington as the helicopter approached the city. With the imposed blackout, no landmarks could be seen. The helo made a turn to the left and, looking out the window, Richardson saw someone signaling with a lamp. In a moment a crewman came aft and approached her.
“Colonel, we have been told to take you straight to the White House. We should be there in about five minutes,” the crewman yelled over the noise of the engines and rotors.
Richardson nodded. She knew from such a short message they probably didn’t know the reason behind the change. She only wished she had a chance to straighten up a little before seeing the President. After a few minutes she noticed a small ring of lights over which the helo lowered and positioned itself. The Sea Knight came to rest in the circle just in front of the White House. She could see someone on their way to the chopper, not even waiting for the rotors to slow. Richardson left her seat to meet the person at the door.
General Black’s outstretched hand was accepted and he quickly ushered Richardson out of the Sea Knight and through an opened door of the mansion. The brightness of the lights inside made her squint. “You’re the first one back, Colonel,” Black said. “We wanted to hear it from you right away,” he said as they walked briskly through the halls and finally into a heavily guarded Oval Office.
The White House had almost become an armed camp. But inside, the President came from behind his desk to greet her warmly. The President ushered her, Black, and a man he introduced as the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the sofa and chairs in front of the fireplace. Coffee and some snacks were on the table. A mess specialist poured some cups of the dark brew before departing. “Colonel, I appreciate your efforts. What can you tell me about Memphis?” the President asked.
Richardson set her briefcase on a low table beside the sofa and pulled out a pad of paper covered with notes she had taken that day. “I hope somebody can read these,” she said as she handed the papers over. “They need to be transcribed and the materials rounded up. Basically, civilization came to a standstill in Memphis, Mister President. It was a ground burst in the heart of the city. No buildings are standing within two miles. There is a crater and there is residual radiation. The blast extended out another seven miles before it stopped breaking every pane of glass. The city’s hospitals were downtown, but some outlying hospitals and clinics have set up rudimentary services. No electricity, no water, no sewer, and the infrastructure to restore them is almost nonexistent. They need everything — tents, cots, blankets, food, water, medical supplies, and portable generators to keep things operating. You name it, they need it,” she said solemnly. “There is no transportation system and the survivors are on foot trying to find refuge. The Red Cross ran out of supplies the first day. They only had local supplies and couldn’t get more in. There was some rioting for fresh food, but I let people know pretty quickly that only canned food would be safe. The neighboring towns of Bartlett, Germantown, and West Memphis are sending everything they can, and a lot is being delivered by tractor on small flatbeds. In some instances drivers have been attacked and the food taken before they got to their destinations. In what’s left of the city, bodies can be seen everywhere. There are no mortuary services and, frankly, no one wants to go in and pull the bodies out.
“I spent yesterday setting up a military perimeter to keep things contained. We have a few Guard units escorting as many of the supplies we can, but there aren’t enough. Sir, we need manpower to get things down there and set it up. I recommend we send in some medical teams that know radiation poisoning and have the tools to deal with it. I talked to the mayors of the neighboring towns. They are having water shipped in and are trying to get the electric lines back up, but their resources are limited. When I talked to the National Guard COs, I ordered them to get their people online and lend a hand immediately. It’s difficult under these circumstances, but things are moving. In my notes you will see the places I set up for four evacuation stations. They are the Liberty Bowl and University of Memphis on the east, the international airport in the south and the town of West Memphis in the west. Each is on a major thoroughfare and has easy access along with some shelter to work for a while. I wish I could have stayed, but you needed the information,” she said finally, slumping back into the couch.