Chapter 9- Awards

Rommel smiles as his daughter holds his hand tightly as the 747 touches down at Ronald Reagan International Airport. Ada has always been a little bit nervous when it comes to flying.

The 747 taxis over to the terminal. After parking, and the jetway connects to the plane, everyone on board begins to deplane.

Rommel and his family are some of the first ones off the plane. As they walk off the plane and into the terminal, they find a number of people waiting in the terminal, and soon as they see Rommel and the other passengers begin walking off the plane, the people in the terminal begin cheering loudly at the sight of them. Rommel feels a bit uncomfortable with the attention, but realizes he can't just ignore it, so he waves a few times to people to acknowledge them.

Rommel and the rest of the passengers make their way down to the baggage claim to retrieve their bags. After waiting for a while, the carousels bring up the bags, and everyone retrieves their baggage and makes their way out of the terminal, where they find a series of buses waiting for them.

After everybody climbs aboard the buses, the buses set off for the White House, driving through the streets of Washington DC, escorted by several police cars keeping the roads ahead clear.

As the buses drive through the streets of DC, everyone on them see crowds of people lining the street, cheering for them. The passengers and crew begin to realize just how famous they have and will become for what happened on that plane.

Finally, the buses pull up to the White House. Troops and Secret Service agents help them off the buses and hurry them into the White House.

Inside the White House, the families are led to other rooms, while Secret Service agents lead Rommel and the rest of the passengers and crew towards the Oval Office.

When they reach the Oval Office, an agent opens the door for them, and they all make their way in. Inside the Office, President Bush is waiting for them.

"Welcome!" Bush says as Rommel and the others make their way into the office. He stands up from behind the Resolute Desk and makes his way around it. He makes his way from person to person, taking the time to shake their hands, thank them for their bravery, and express his gratitude that they are all alive.

Finally, he makes his way to Rommel. He extends his hand for Rommel to shake. Then, as Rommel takes the offered hand, Bush reaches out and claps him on the shoulder. "D*** good job, General. Thank you for saving these people, and for your service to our country," Bush says.

"Just doing my duty, Mr. President," Rommel says.

"No, General. You went above and beyond," Bush says.

Bush then looks around at everybody and says, "All of you are American heroes. In a time of darkness, all of you have brought us hope. The only downside is the amount of attention you all are going to be receiving from the American public." Several groans can be heard from the group, which makes everyone chuckle a bit.

"Now, all of you will soon be free to return to your homes. Although public air travel will not resume for at least for a few days, we will have chartered aircraft to return you and your families to your homes. However, I will need you all to remain here at least for the rest of the day. I have, after some consideration, decided to award all of you the Presidential Medal of Freedom for your bravery and your service to your country and fellow citizens," Bush says.

Everyone looks at the President in extreme shock. Finally, Tom Burnett speaks up and says, "I think I speak for all of us when I say we're honored, Mr. President, but is this really necessary? This feels like more than we deserve."

"For your information, and I quote directly here, the Medal of Freedom is to be awarded for 'an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors'. I would say that your actions on that airplane more than fit that description. In any case, my mind is made up on this matter, and there's no use in trying to change it," Bush says with a smile.

Everyone is quiet before Todd Beamer says, "Then it would be our honor to accept it, Mr. President."

Bush smiles. "Thank you all. Now, I have another favor I would like to ask of you. In two days, I will be speaking to the nation about these attacks from the site of the World Trade Center. I would like for you all to be there," he says.

Many of the passengers and crew begin to nod their heads and reply affirmatively.

Bush smiles. "You all are heroes, and I hope you understand how much all of you mean to the American people."

(Hours later)

Rommel stands alongside the rest of the passengers and crew of United 93 on side of the stage set up in the White House for the ceremony. Ahead of them, President Bush is speaking to the assembled reporters and family members of the honorees, and to the nation via television.

"This is an unusual day, and unusual circumstances, for awarding the Medal of Freedom. Usually we only award around a dozen medals or so at a time. Never 41. But never before has a Medal of Freedom been so deserved, nor so many Medals. Today, it is my distinct pleasure and greatest honor to award this medal to the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93," Bush says.

Bush pauses, then says, "First, I would like to present the medals for Captain Jason Dahl and First Officer Leroy Homer. As they are still in the hospital recovering, their medals will be accepted by family."

Family members of Dahl and Homer make their way up to the podium to accept the medals. Then, the families of Deborah Welsh and Mark Rothenburg, the two aboard who died, come up to accept their medals.

"Now, I would like to invite the passengers and crew still alive to come up and accept their medals as I read their names," bush says.

Bush pauses for a moment before he says, "Lorraine Bay."

Lorraine Bay steps forward. Bush steps forward with one of the many Medals of Freedom laid out, and carefully hangs the medal around Lorraine's neck before shaking her hand.

Lorraine walks off the stage as Bush says, "Wanda Green."

Wanda walks over to Bush, who holds her medal and hangs it around her neck before shaking her hand.

As Wanda walks off the stage, Bush calls out, "Sandy Bradshaw." Sandy walks over, and Bush hangs her medal around her neck. Bush shakes her hand, and Sandy retakes her position with everyone else.

"Ceecee Lyles," Bush says. Ceecee walks up to Bush, who holds out her medal and hangs it around her neck. The two shake hands, and Ceecee retakes her place with everyone else.

"Mark Bingham," Bush says. Mark walks over, and Bush hangs his medal around his neck. The two shake hands, and Mark retakes his place in the group.

"Todd Beamer," Bush says. Todd walks over, smiling as Bush hangs the medal around his neck. The two shake hands, and Todd retakes his place in the group.

"Jeremy Glick," Bush says. Jeremy walks up, and Bush hangs his medal around his neck before the two shake hands, and Jeremy retakes his place in the group.

"Donald Greene," Bush says. Donald walks over, and Bush hangs the medal around his neck. The two shake hands, and Donald retakes his place in the group.

"Linda Gronlund," Bush says. Linda walks up, and Bush hangs the medal around her neck. The two shake hands, and she retakes her place.

"Nicole Miller," Bush says. Nicole walks up to Bush, and he hangs the medal around her neck. The two share a handshake, and Nicole returns to her place.

"Richard Guadagno," Bush says. Richard walks over, and Bush hands the medal around her neck. The two shake hands, and Richard then returns to his place.

"Elizabeth Wainio," Bush says. Elizabeth walks up, looking very humble as Bush hangs the medal around her neck, and shakes his hand before turning to the group.

"John Talignani," Bush says. John slowly walks onto the stage, and Bush hangs the medal around his neck. The two shake hands, and John returns to his place.

"Donald and Jean Peterson," Bush says. Donald and Jean walk onto the stage, hand in hand. Bush hangs Jean's medal around her neck, then Donald's around his. He shakes both of their hands, and the couple returns to their place.

"Christine Snyder," Bush says. Christine walks onto the stage, and Bush hangs her medal around her neck. The two shake hands, and Christine retakes her place.

"Christian Adams," Bush says. Christian walks onto the stage, and Bush hangs the medal around his neck. Christian shakes his hand, then walks off the stage.

"Waleska Martinez," Bush says. Waleska walks up to him, and Bush hangs her medal around her neck. The two shake hands, and Waleska walks off the stage to the group.

"Marion Britton," Bush says. Marion walks onto the stage, and Bush hangs her medal around her neck. They shake hands, Marion returns to the group.

"Patrick Driscoll," Bush says. Patrick walks slowly onto the stage, and Bush hangs his medal around his neck. Patrick shakes Bush's hand, and walks back off the stage.

"Hilda Marcin," Bush says. She walks slowly onto the stage, where Bush hangs her medal around her neck. The two shake hands, and she walks slowly off the stage.

"Louis Nacke," Bush says. He walks onto the stage, and Bush hangs his medal around his neck. The two shake hands, and Louis walks off the stage.

"Joseph Deluca," Bush says. Joseph walks onto the stage, and Bush hangs his medal around his neck. The two shake hands, and Joseph walks back off the stage.

"William Cashman," Bush says. William walks up, and Bush hangs his medal around his neck. The two shake hands, and William walks off the stage.

"Georgine Corrigan," Bush says. Georgine walks onto the stage, and Bush hangs her medal around her neck. The two shake hands, and Georgine walks off the stage.

"Toshiya Kuge," Bush says. Toshiya walks onto the stage, and bush hangs the medal around his neck. The two shake hands, and he walks off the stage to the group.

"Kristin White," Bush says. Kristin walks up, and Bush hangs her medal around her neck. The two share a handshake, and Kristin walks off the stage.

"Patricia Cushing," Bush says. Patricia walks up and lets Bush hang the medal around her neck, then shakes his hand before returning to the group.

"Colleen Fraser," Bush says. Colleen walks up, and Bush hangs her medal around her neck. The two shake hands, and Colleen walks off the stage.

"Jane Folger," Bush says. Jane walks slowly onto the stage, and Bush hangs her medal around her neck. The two shake hands, and Jane walks off the stage.

"Edward Felt," Bush says. Edward walks up to Bush, who hangs the medal around his neck. The two shake hands, and Edward walks off the stage.

"Deora Bodley," Bush says. Deora walks up to Bush, who hangs the medal around her neck. The tow shake hands, and Deora walks off the stage.

"Andrew Garcia," Bush says. Andrew walks up and lets Bush hang the medal around his neck. The two shake hands, and Andrew walks off the stage.

"Alan Beaven," Bush says. Alan walks onto the stage, and Bush hangs the medal around his neck. The two shake hands, and Alan walks off the stage back to the group.

"Lauren Grandcolas," Bush says. Lauren walks onto the stage, and Bush hangs the medal around her neck. They shake hands, and Lauren rejoins the group.

"Tom Burnett," Bush says. Tom walks up to Bush, and Bush hangs his medal around his neck. The two shake hands, and Tom returns to the group.

"Dennis Rommel," Bush says. Rommel walks up to Bush, and Bush hangs the medal around his neck. The two shake hands.

Rommel starts to turn away to return to the group, but Bush says, "Stand fast, General."

Rommel stops, then turns back as Bush returns to the podium. Bush looks out at everybody as he says, "By the recommendation of the Terran Joint Command, and the vote of the Terran Alliance General Assembly, it is my honor at this time to present you, Brigadier General Dennis Rommel, with the Jedi Cross for your incredible bravery, valor, and service to your fellow men."

There are some gasps and murmurs in the hall. The Jedi Cross was created shortly after the Clone Wars as the Terran Alliance's highest military honor. To date, nobody has received it.

Rommel feels surprised that he is being awarded the Jedi Cross, but allows himself a moment of pride being schooling emotions. Bush then walks behind Rommel and hangs the Jedi Cross around his neck.

"People of the United States of America and the world, I present the passengers and crew of United 93," Bush says, gesturing to everybody on the side of the stage. Everybody walks onto the stage and forms into one big group. Everyone smiles as a series of pictures are taken, taking a few moments to take in this award.

(That night)

Rommel knocks once on the door. "Enter," the voice of President Bush calls.

Rommel opens the door and enters the White House Situation Room. Inside, he finds President Bush, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers, and High General Kvashnin.

"Welcome, General Rommel. Have a seat," Bush says.

"We are very grateful to you for what you did on board that flight, and you deserve rest after that ordeal. However, we have a favor to ask of you," Bush says.

"You only have to ask, Mr. President," Rommel says.

Kvashnin now speaks up. "The Terran Alliance will soon be meeting to discuss beginning an official campaign in Afghanistan to bring down al-Qaeda, who we now feel strongly is behind this attack. However, President Bush wishes to send in special forces immediately to begin preliminary operations and to attempt to locate Osama bin Laden. The first team will comprise of both members of the Zulu Force and American Green Berets. And we would like you to lead the team," Kvashnin says.

Rommel is quiet for several moments. Then, he nods simply and says, "I'll take this assignment gladly, General."

Bush smiles a bit. "You've already fought four al-Qaeda operatives, General. Now it's time for you to take on the rest of al-Qaeda."