Salaam pressed down for more airspeed. The dome of the Capitol was just behind the Washington Monument. It was only a matter of seconds until the greatest attack in the history of the world. And his death would be to the glory of Allah!
US Navy F/A-18 (“Hornet 1”)
Over Arlington, Virginia
5:38 p.m.
Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep-beep-beep!
“Contact! Contact! Please don’t let it be too late!”
Somewhere out there, the Hornet’s fire control radar had locked onto a target. Belk’s heart raced as his thumb depressed the Fire Missile button. A single Sidewinder missile dropped from under the right wing and shot out into the night.
A moment later…
BOOM!
Shockwaves rocked the night air.
Belk jerked the stick to the right, banking the jet at a steep angle. He looked down and watched the blinding fireball plunge down toward the Potomac.
“Andrews. Hornet. We’ve got a direct hit on an intruding aircraft. Be advised bogie is down in the Potomac. Looks like splashdown just north of Roosevelt Island.”
There was a pause in communication, as Belk brought the jet down to one thousand feet for a better look. A great fire on the river was illuminating the bridge spanning Rosslyn and Georgetown. Outbound traffic on the bridge was slowing down, onlookers gawking at the fire.
The plane had fallen in the water less than one mile from the White House. Billy Belk allowed his shoulders to slump, relieving the tension that had gripped him moments earlier.
“Hornet. Andrews. Roger that. Good shooting. Your nation is appreciative tonight. Go to ten thousand feet. Return to base for debriefing.”
“Andrews. Hornet. Roger that. I’m coming home.”
Epilogue
The White House
Three months later
The Rose Garden was a blur of colors and a montage of the sweet scents of an early spring morning in Washington. Yellow, red, and white tulips were just beginning to bloom amidst gardenias, daffodil, jonquil, and some flowers that Diane did not recognize.
Across the lush, green grass just outside the West Wing, Diane stood at parade rest, her hands folded in the back of her service dress-blue uniform and skirt. Zack stood next to her, at the end of the line, also at parade rest. Next to her on the other side stood Captain Noble and the entire SEAL team, also in service dress blues. At their sides, the SEALs wore their ceremonial battle swords, which glistened brilliantly in the morning sun.
All this against the unseasonably warm Washington morning made for a gorgeous panorama of deep colors, with blue, red, white, and green meshing into bright tapestry against the pink blooms on saucer magnolia trees on the White House lawn.
“Attention on deck!” Captain Noble ordered. Diane and her colleagues jumped to erect attention.
A voice came over a loudspeaker. “Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States.”
Two marines opened double doors on the West Wing. The president stepped out onto the grass, flanked by Admiral Roscoe Smith to his right and Secretary of Defense Erwin Lopez to his left. They were followed by another naval officer, Rear Admiral Jeffrey Carl Lettow, a Southern Baptist pastor currently serving as the chief of navy chaplains.
The four men walked across the grass to a podium featuring the Presidential Seal. “At ease,” the president said as he reached the podium, the three others behind him. The audience relaxed slightly.
“Our nation has been hit.” The president began his speech with somber tones. “One of our great cities, Philadelphia, has had its heart ripped out. One of our ships, USS Port Royal, has been attacked, and many thousands have died.
“But though the Islamo-fascists may have temporarily bruised Philadelphia, evil cannot, and shall not ever, quench the heart and the spirit of America. We are grateful to God Almighty that we still live as a nation, and that as a nation, we have survived this brutal and criminal attack.”
The president reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a letter. His eyes met Diane’s; then he looked at the SEAL team. “This is a private ceremony. Though certain members of the press corps have been invited, there will be no live television cameras. Photographs and excerpts will later be released to the press. But this is a sacred occasion. This is an intimate time. You have saved our country.” He took the letter out and unfolded it. “I’d like to begin by reading a brief note from the president of Indonesia.”
He placed the letter on the podium and began to read. “To members of the US Navy SEAL team, to the US Navy pilots, to the US Navy JAG officers, and to members of the USS Ronald Reagan carrier task force-the government and the people of a democratic Indonesia are eternally grateful. You have saved our nation from a despotic tyranny, and while Indonesians grieve the loss of lives in America, we salute and commend you for having saved the lives of millions of others in your country. May God bless you all of your days, and may God bless the United States of America. Signed, Muhammed Magadia, president of the Republic of Indonesia.”
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.