"Thank you ladies and gehtlemen! Thank you for your most gracious reception! Sorry I'm late. I have been involved in some delicate negotiations and could only now get away. But when The commandant invived me to come and present our young hero with his decoration, I could not refuse! For these youngsters are our hope for tomorrow. It is they that will carry our dreams on to the future. Without them all we do is impotent, totally without meaning. Well, I suppose this young man standing here with a totally bewildered look on his face is Samuel Star, the one we are to honor. Come over here, young man!"
Samuel quickly crossed the reviewing stand, and came to attention before The First Speaker.
"At ease! At ease!" The First Speaker commented. You stand that tight you're going to break something!"
When Samuel relaxed the First Speaker took his shoulders. "Well, young man," he praised, "I read the report. If there was ever one deserving of an award for valor it is you! And I understand other congratulations are in order.
The wife regrets she couldn't be here, but she is taking care of some other business and couldn't come. But she would like to have had.
First of all, we've got a ring for you here. I think the inscription on it says it all, 'For That Shed For Us.'"
He slipped the ring on Samuel's finger, then was handed the ribbon holding The Medal Of Valor.
"For courage and service to a member of The Academy," he announced, "far above and beyond the call of duty. Presented with the deepest pride and admiration. May The Lords bless, guide, and protect you in all other things you do, as well as they did on your heroic swim! Step over there, young man, let everybody show their appreciation!"
Samuel stepped to the edge of the reviewing stand and the audience rose, clapping and cheering for several minutes, until they were motioned to be seated. "Stand right here," The First Speaker insisted, "while your classmate gets his ring."
Roger came up and was awarded The Red Ring. Then The First Speaker positioned them both on the front of the reviewing stand.
"I've been promised a delicious buffalo steak," he remarked, "and everybody knows my enormous apetite."
The audience laughed joyously. "Let's have these fine cadets honor their comrades with a pass in review, then let us dismiss them and feed them, and, me, too!"
Everyone roared with laughter. The cadets proudly marched by, as their two comrades stood on each side of The First Speaker, saluting.
Finally they retired to the mess hall. Samuel took his usual place, but then he was invited up to The First Speaker's table. Sharon joined him, and they were placed on either side. The meal was The Academy's usual excellence and The First Speaker obviously enjoyed it. They had been talking about the usual stuff when The First Speaker looked to Samuel.
"You know, they want me to run for President," he remarked, "I could use the advice of a courageous young man like you! The Republicans are offering us an alliance, me as President, one of their people as vice president. The Democrats are also making some overtures, but nothing in comparison. What do you think, young man?"
"My God, sir!" Samuel snapped, "You can't become a Democrat! It's unthinkable, sir!"
The First Speaker nodded. "well, I guess that settles it!" he motioned one of his aides over. "Go tell the ladies and gentlemen at the press table," The First Speaker ordered, "we're going for The Presidency. I'm declaring my candidacy, a joint run with The Republicans."
The aide hurried off. The reporter's leapt from the table rushing outside to use their cell phones.
"I hope I can count on your support," The First Speaker asked Samuel.
"Of course, sir!" Samuel answered. "Sir, I once said some bad things about you. I was rather upset at the time. I wish to express my apologies."
"Oh, good Lords, son!" The First Speaker remarked, "Don't even think about it! If I worried about what every young person said about me when they were upset I'd go out of my mind! Let's just consider it never happened, all right?"
"Thank you, sir!" Samuel acknowledged.
"Well, I hate to," The First Speaker announced, "but I've really GOT to go!"
He rose and everyone else rose with him.

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