During that time the strength and flexibility of our system has been on display for the world to see. At the first meeting of the Cabinet after the attack we discussed the 25th Amendment, and we all came to realize that while the intent of the Amendment was clear, nobody could have foreseen the events which occurred. More than one of us commented that we were in uncharted territory. Yet the meaning and spirit of the Amendment was always understood. I would like to particularly thank Attorney General Ashcroft and Chief Justice Rehnquist for their assistance in determining the procedures we would follow. I would also like to thank Congressman Boehner and Senator Reid for their part in this, both earlier in New York and here today. Most of all I would like to thank former President Bush for offering his services this evening, despite the immense personal cost to himself and his family.
I can begin to tell you what is happening and what will happen in the future. Beginning tomorrow, airports will reopen and flights will begin flying again. The FAA is implementing new security measures, and flight operations will be ramped up slowly, to allow the airlines and passengers to get used to the changes. Initial operations will focus on getting stranded travelers home as quickly as possible. I would expect full scale operations to commence by early next week. Also, we will begin a month of national mourning next week, in remembrance of all who died on Tuesday. While we do not yet have any schedule, memorial ceremonies will be held.
Earlier today my son asked me a very simple question. ‘Who could do such a thing?’ I answered him the only way I knew how. ‘Monsters!’ Even as we speak, a team of FBI, CIA, and Secret Service agents are working to determine exactly who committed this atrocity. I have met with this team several times already and expect to continue to do so in the coming weeks. We will determine who was involved and who aided and abetted them. At that time we will make the appropriate response. Congress has already promised an investigation of this tragedy. It is my intention to cooperate fully with them. Following our response, all information we develop will be reported to them.
Two days ago, while I was touring the destruction at the Pentagon, I talked to a Special Forces sergeant. He told me that ‘They can run as far as they want and dig a hole as deep as they want, but they will just die tired and dirty.’ When the time comes, and we know who was involved, I promise the nation that our response will do that sergeant proud.
I issue a word of warning, however, to anybody who misguidedly decides to take up vengeance in their own hands. I have learned that there have been incidents of religious and racial bigotry and intolerance. Our nation was built on principles of religious tolerance. It was the first and most important amendment to the Constitution. We are not a vengeful people, but a just people, and tolerance is our strength, not our weakness. These actions will not be allowed.
So let me close by repeating what I said three nights ago, when I first spoke to you to tell you what had happened. America is more than its buildings and America is more than its people. America is an idea, a symbol, a belief. We are a beacon of freedom and opportunity to the world, and the evil of madmen will not shutter that beacon. The price of freedom is never cheap, but it is a price that we must bear, and a price that we will gladly pay. Our nation will emerge from this dark day even stronger and more committed to the ideals we believe in. I believed those words when I spoke them, and I believe them even more firmly now.
Thank you, good night, and God bless America.”
Chapter 141: Funerals
After that, I left the podium and exited out a side door. There wasn’t going to be any schmoozing in the aisles tonight. Once outside the chamber, I sent somebody in to find the Commandant of the Marine Corps and ask him to see me for a minute or two. I smiled as I considered that. Once upon a time if a senior officer ‘asked’ me to do something, it was really an order. Now I was the one doing the asking. My, how Second Lieutenant Buckman had grown up.
Marilyn and the kids showed up about a minute before the Commandant did. I knew when that happened because suddenly Charlie’s eyes got wide and he came to attention, making his sisters stare at him briefly. I twisted to look to my right and found the Commandant also coming to attention. I chuckled and said, “As you were, the both of you.”
“You asked to see me, sir?”
“Yes, thank you for coming over, General. I appreciate it. This really concerns my son, Charlie.”
Charlie’s eyes bugged out again and he coughed out a squeaky, “Me!”
The Commandant chuckled and said, “Settle down, Lance Corporal.” He turned to me and asked, “What can I do for you, sir?”
“Two things, really. First, we need to get the Lance Corporal back to Camp Lejeune tomorrow.”
He nodded and turned to his aide, a full colonel. “Set that up, please.”
There was a mumbled, “Sir”’, in response.
“Secondly,”, I continued, “I simply want to make sure that you, and through you the Marine Corps, understands that Lance Corporal Buckman is to continue being treated as Lance Corporal Buckman. I mean no disrespect, but I know it would be tempting for some officers to change his assignments or how he is treated because of who his father is.”
I received a smile at that from the General. “Understood, sir, I will take care of this.”
I then turned to Charlie and said, “Charlie, I can’t promise that people won’t know who you are or who I am. This is the best I can do. As for anything else, you’re a Marine, and I expect you to suck it up.”
My son came to attention and barked out, “Aye, aye, sir!” which made me roll my eyes and the Commandant chuckle.
“General, thank you for your time. I’m sure I’ll be talking to you soon,” I ended things.
“Of course, sir. Thank you.” He shook my hand, and then reached out and shook Charlie’s hand before heading out.
I turned back to my family, and saw that Marilyn was standing away slightly, her cell phone to her ear, and one hand over her other ear, so she could hear the conversation. She had a look of horror on her face, and tears were forming. She looked to be in shock, and she hung up the phone and stared at me. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“It’s Harlan! He’s dead!”
“WHAT!?”
“That was Anna Lee. She’s been trying to reach us, but couldn’t get through the switchboard. She finally found a number for Tusker and Tessa and got a number from them. It’s Harlan! He was at the Pentagon Tuesday. He’s dead!” She began crying.
The blood drained from me. Oh God, but my sins were piling up fast! “Sweet Jesus!” I exclaimed lowly.
I led the family over to a bench on the side of the hallway and sat down with them. Marilyn and the girls were crying and Charlie was muttering curses under his breath. Several people were staring or trying to get my attention but I ignored them. I pulled out my phone and turned it on, and called the switchboard. A minute later I was talking to Anna Lee.
“Anna Lee, it’s Carl. What happened?”
“Carl, it’s Harlan. He was at the Pentagon when… when… they just notified us. They couldn’t… couldn’t… Oh God, Carl! How could this happen!? He was just going over there to meet somebody!” she wailed.