The President of the United States arrived at the cemetery.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4XalwxXWC
Everyone stood up.
There were several hundred spectators on the rolling green lawns and two dozen or more people on the temporary stage that had been set up. In the front row were Janice Kirk, Vina Pike, and Nancy McCoy, as well as Dr. Roddenberry, Congressman Johnston, and the Vice President.
The President reached the platform exactly as the military band finished playing "Hail to the Chief." He walked directly to the lectern.
Everyone sat down.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. Kirk, Mrs. Pike, Mrs. McCoy, my fellow Americans," he began. "I come her today to talk of unfinished hopes and of unfulfilled dreams. James Kirk, Christopher Pike, and Leonard McCoy left this earth because of their dream a little more than two months ago. They were never able to return to us...."
As the President spoke, Roddenberry lowered his head and eyed his intertwined fingers.
"----a time when cynicism was a national epidemic, they gave us something to take pride..."
Janice was not going to cry. She had made up her mind about that. Beside her, Vina Pike had brought her handkerchief up to touch her face. Not looking at her, Janice put a hand on her arm.
"----a dream that should not be allowed to die. A nation is built on the spirit of its people. The test of greatness of any nation is how that nation pulls together in time of crisis...."
At the far edge of the crowd, a slight commotion was starting. A few people stood up, there was a murmuring.
".....these three men brought us together. We knew there were no goals we couldn't reach, so long as we reach for them together...."
The President paused for a few seconds. The commotion was spreading. Someone was moving through the crowd, toward the podium, and the Secret Service men were moving toward him.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6Zq1aJI4U
"There is no adequate way we can ever express our gratitude towards these men themselves," continued the President. "However, we can serve their memory. We can pay homage to them in a way which is more than oratory. We can see to it that what they gave their lives for was not an abandoned dream. Therefore, I am proud to announce that today I have asked the leaders of both Houses of Congress to increase the appropriations for the space...."
Roddenberry recognized him first, and gasped a startled breath. Then Janice saw him. She stood up, her hands clapping together once. She laughed aloud, crying at the same time.
Colonel James T. Kirk was approaching the podium. The Secret Service men stood aside for him. He still wore the tattered jumpsuit he'd worn in his escape across the desert.
But he walked very straight, shoulders back. And he was smiling!
THE END499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCUq4CjfND
