Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.

Let's get to it.

Chapter 10- Coming Together

(July 1, 2018, Norfolk, Virginia)

At one of the many docks lining the harborfront at Naval Station Norfolk, a large round of applause echoes as President Trump himself takes the podium once again. Behind him, tied to the dock, the massive form of the USS Wisconsin rises tall and proud. Today is the day that the old battleship will be recommissioned for the third time in her history.

The commissioning ceremony has been going for quite a long time at this point. Now is the moment when the ship is to be formally be placed in commission. Trump had requested the honor of being allowed to formally recommission the Wisconsin, which had been granted.

The ship's executive officer calls the crew to attention. Allowing a few seconds of silence, Trump then says loudly and proudly, "I hereby place United States Ship Wisconsin in commission once more. May God bless and guide this warship and all who shall sail in her. God bless you."

Trump then turns and shakes hands with the ship's captain before stepping aside and allowing him to take the podium. The new captain of the Wisconsin is Captain Robert S Gerosa Jr., a graduate of both the Naval Academy and Naval War College, and previously commander of the USS Constitution. He was one of the finalists for the selection of the battleship's new captain, and had only been finally chosen about a month prior.

Gerosa looks out at the crowd for a moment before saying, "Thank you, Mr. President." Then, switching to a more formal tone, he calls out, "Executive Officer, hoist the colors and the commissioning penant."

"Aye, aye, captain," the exeutive office says as he salutes. He then repeats the order to the quartermaster, and aboard the ship, several seamen hoist the American flag on the mast and the commission penant. Everyone is quiet as they watch the flag be hoisted aboard the Wisconsin once again.

The executive officer reports the completion back to Gerosa, who accepts it. Gerosa then reads out his orders from Admiral Davidson, which basically state his orders are to take command of the newly recommissioned battleship. Gerosa then turns to where Davison is sitting and says, "Admiral Davidson, United States Ship Wisconsin is once again in commission and I am in command." The two exchange a salute, and the audience applauds as Davidson walks over to Gerosa and the two shake hands.

Gerosa then orders the executive officer to set the first watch, and the executive officer conducts the ceremonial posting of the first watch. After concluding the ceremony, he reports back to Gerosa.

Gerosa now faces the audience and says, "I would now like to invite our ship's sponsor, Governor Scott Walker, to please come to the podium to issue the call to man our ship and bring her to life."

Applause rings out as Governor Walker, governor of Wisconsin, comes to the podium. Walker smiles as he waves to everyone, then says, "When I received the news that the battleship that bore the name Wisconsin would be recommissioned once again, I hoped I would receive the honor of being names as the ship's sponsor. A long time ago, when I once visited this ship during its time as a museum, I never once imagined it returned to service, or that I would have this honor. Now, I could not be happier. It brings me no small amount of joy that once again, this ship will come to action to defend freedom and stop the forces of evil." Walker pauses, then calls out, "And now, it is my great honor to issue this order: Officers and crew of United States Ship Wisconsin, man our ship and bring her to life once more!"

"Yes, sir!" the waiting crew call out in response. Then, a band begins playing the Navy Song as the crew begin marching in file to board the ship. Everyone begins applauding, happy to see the Wisconsin officially back in service.

The commissioning ceremony will only last about twenty more minutes. The rest of the day will be spent getting the ship ready to sail. The crew is all a highly trained and efficient crew, and have spent some time aboard the three other Iowa-class battleships to learn the layout of the Wisconsin and how to perform their tasks, and all have been trained by men who have sailed on the Iowas throughout their history.

The following day, the Wisconsin sets sail under her own power for the first time in almost 30 years, heading out to begin her sea trials and shakedown cruise.

(July 4, 2018)

In an outdoor stadium of sorts constructed in the southern part of Valinor, thousands of American servicemen cheer as they watch Lee Greenwood take the stage. The Valar had allowed the Americans to bring in singers and other performers to do performances for the soldiers. Today was to be a big 4th of July concert. In a surprise, some of the rulers of the Elves, and even some Maiar, and Manwe and Varda had come to watch and get a little exposure to American pop culture.

Performances so far had included Toby Keith, Bryan Adams, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and Carrie Underwood. Now Lee Greenwood is coming out to close out the concert.

"It's my pleasure to be here performing for you today as you prepare to fight for the freedom of this world. God bless you all, and God Bless the USA," he says. Then the music to "God Bless the USA" begins to play.

All of the gathered American men and women begin to cheer and clap as they recognize the song. As Lee begins to sing, one of the American officers who is sitting near Manwe and Varda turns to them. "What do you think, Lord Manwe and Lady Varda? Do you like what you've seen so far of American culture?"

After a second, Manwe responds, "This is very different music than we are used to from either the Elves or ourselves. However, the tunes are very pleasant. And some of them have great messages."

"I think they are quite representative of your culture. In a good way," Varda adds.

The officer smiles and nods. Then, he refocuses on the concert right as Lee sings, "And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. And I'll gladly stand up, next to you, and defend her still today. 'Cause there ain't no doubt, I love this land. God bless the USA!"

There's a massive roar of approval from the gathered servicemen and Lee waves before beginning the second verse.

(July 6, 2018)

At Andrews Air Force Base, General Milley watches as the first Airbus A400 comes in for a landing, touching down with a squealing of tires on the runway. As the first A400 taxis along the tarmac towards it designated parking spot, more A400s and a few C-17s also come in for a landing.

Milley walks up to the first A-400 as it parks and starts shutting its engines down. As it opens up, the first troops of the British 1st Division begin walking out of the plane, led by their brand new commander, Major General Colin Weir.

After months of negotiation, the US had finally consented to allow foreign troops to join the war against Morgoth. So far, they had opened it up to the British, Canadians, and as of a week ago, the French. However, the current plan called for the troops from other nations to be used to protect Allied territory and keep their supply lines secure instead of fighting on the front lines, unless it became necessary.

Weir sees Milley approaching and stops, saluting the superior officer, which Milley quickly returns. Milley smiles a bit as he says, "General Weir. Welcome to the US."

"Glad to be here, General," Weir says in response. The two men shake hands, a symbol that once again, the British and Americans will be fighting side by side.

(White House)

"We just received word from Andrews. The first British troops have begun arriving. And General Sanders will be arriving sometime tomorrow," General Dunford says.

Trump nods. He still felt that America could handle this by themselves, but also recognizes a little extra help goes a long way. The 1st Division is the first foreign unit to arrive in America. And General Patrick Sanders, due to arrive tomorrow, has been assigned to command all non-American forces deployed to Arda.

"How go our preparations?" Trump asks.

"Training continues at an accelerated pace. I received word from Admiral Davidson that Wisconsin's shakedown has begun and is going well. Everything is pointing to us being fully ready by early October," Dunford says.

"Then we will proceed ahead with the agreed upon date," Trump orders.

Dunford nods and kind of mutters to himself, "November 1." That date had been previously discussed as the date when the Navy and Marines would carry out the initial landings in Beleriand.

"November 1," Trump agrees.

And, I'll end there. Hope you liked this chapter.

Hope I did the re-commissioning of the Wisconsin well. I watched the commissioning ceremony for the USS Gerald R Ford for inspiration.

Next chapter will be up soon, and will be the US actually mobilizing their forces to begin the landings. Until it is up, please leave a review and stay tuned.