Chapter 364: Dover AFB

Friday, February 3rd, Late Morning (Eastern Standard Time)

Today was a day Izzy long feared coming; as she rode in the back of the limo, Senator John McMichael sat next to her as she looked out the window. They rode in solemn silence as they crossed Maryland, through Annapolis, one of the past capitals of the US, and across the Delmarva Peninsula to Dover Air Force Base just south of Delaware's capital of Dover.

At the gate, they were checked and let through. Izzy adjusted a stray lock of brunette hair as they drove out to where they were meeting their party. She was dressed sensibly for the weather and occasion, wearing a black skirt, white blouse, black blazer, and a long black coat. Around her neck was the only splash of color, a tartan scarf in the colors of Clan Scott of Buccleuch. After they met with the party, they saw the large C-5M Galaxy waiting on the tarmac.

Out of respect for the family, Izzy and John chose not to take part in what the military called "Dignified Transfer." They stood off to the side to watch and pay their respects to Sergeant First Class Jermaine Garrison, North Carolina Army National Guard.

Izzy put on her signature Bella Sunglasses to hide her tearing eyes and protect them from the wind over the field. It had only been a few days since Sergeant Garrison, Izzy had to call him that in her head since if she thought of him as Jermaine, she'd lose it. He had been Keith's tank commander for years. Keith even turned down his own tank to still be his gunner. Izzy wanted to rush to her husband's side, but he was still in Europe.

A party of US Army soldiers, officers, and Air Force personal marched out to the opened maw of the large C-5M Galaxy Aircraft. Izzy watched as a Chaplin said a prayer over the body of Sergeant Garrison. Once finished, the party's senior members marched out of the massive aircraft and took position along the side, standing at attention.

"Present Arms!" echoed across the windy tarmac as the officer-in-charge in his dress blue uniform ordered it.

Izzy placed her right hand on her heart out of respect for Sergeant Garrison. In the maw of the aircraft, the pallbearer party reached down and picked up the transfer case; it wasn't even a casket or coffin yet.

Izzy watched, tears welling up in her eyes as the Army team, six pallbearers, and one person in charge carried the mortal remains of Sergeant first Class Jermaine Garrison down the ramp of the C-5M Galaxy aircraft, across the tarmac to a waiting truck.

As they passed, an honor guard and the rest of the party stood there saluting or had their hands on their heart. They paid respects to this man, a National Guardsmen, a true citizen-soldier, being carried to a truck.

Morbidly, Izzy thought of a conversation she had with Keith once.

(Flash back in italics)

"What would you do if you are ever called upon to fire in anger?" Izzy asked.

"Hopefully, my duty," Keith simply stated.

"Your duty?" Izzy asked.

Keith nodded, "Yes, which would be to pull the trigger," he said.

"Wouldn't you be scared?" Izzy asked.

"Probably, but I just hope I could do it, so I won't come back being called a trembler," Keith said.

"That sounds stupid," Izzy said, "You've been listening to Huck again."

Keith shrugged, "Doesn't help I serve with people I know outside of uniform," he said.

"What does that mean?" Izzy asked.

"During the Civil War, men willing walked into a meat grinder not to be called a coward back home," Keith said.

Izzy shook her head, "I don't get it," she said, "Women don't act that way."

"You don't get off that easily; by behavior, women encourage it. The liking of men in uniforms, the honoring the brave and powerful. In some ways, men are the soldiers, but women are the motivation," Keith said.

"That's nonsense," Izzy said.

"Plutarch said this, a Spartan woman, as she handed her son his shield exhorted him saying, "As a warrior of Sparta come back with your shield or on it," Keith said.

With it or upon it, it echoed through Izzy's mind as she watched the party carry Sergeant Garrison across the tarmac. With it or upon it, well, he is being borne upon it. With great care, the carry team loads the transfer case and Sergeant Garrison into the truck.

"Order, arms!" echoed out across the windy tarmac. The salutes were lowered as the team finished loading the truck.

An Air Force person slowly closed the doors to the truck; later, Izzy found out they call it the transfer vehicle. The carry team stood at attention behind the vehicle. As the doors closed, the carry team saluted the vehicle with the transfer case and Sergeant Garrison.

"Present Arms!" echoed out again from the officer-in-charge.

Izzy had never removed her hand from her heart. She watched as the transfer vehicle drove off and everyone rendering honors to Sergeant Garrison.

"Order, arms!" echoed out again as the officer-in-charge called them to lower their salutes.

There was some movement; then the carrying team started to march off, followed by the rest of the party. Once they were gone, John came over to Izzy and rested a hand on her shoulder.

"First one?" John asked.

Izzy nodded, "Yes," she said.

"They never get easy," John said.

"Especially if you know the person," Izzy said.

"He was close with Keith?" John asked.

Izzy nodded, "Keith turned down his own tank to be Sergeant Garrison's gunner," she said.

John nodded, "Let's get back to the District," he said.

"Let's," Izzy replied, and they started to walk away.

"You were thinking something while they carried him out," John said.

"How do you know I was thinking anything?" Izzy asked.

"I know you, well," John said.

"I was thinking; with it or upon it," Izzy said.

"Plutarch's Spartan Mother," John said, "Some believe its propaganda."

"It just seemed that was what I was seeing," Izzy said.

"Do you know Sergeant Garrison's family as well?" John asked as they got to the limo.

"Yes, Keith and Sergeant Garrison were close for years, so we got to know each other well," Izzy said.

"Sergeant Garrison? You, don't call him by his name?" John asked.

Izzy shook her head, "If I did, I'd lose it," she said.

John nodded, "Clear it with leadership, first, but I think you need to be in your district and at the funeral," he said.

Izzy nodded, "Thanks for the advice," she said.

"You're welcome," John said, "Let's get going."

John showed Izzy into the limo. Once Izzy was inside, she got comfortable in the seat. John followed into the limo, and he signaled the driver to leave.

Izzy turned to Skye, who came along but stayed in the limo to monitor calls and keep it quiet on the tarmac. Skye saw Izzy hadn't removed her sunglasses yet.

"Yes, Mrs. Scott?" Skye asked.

"Make sure the staff is ready for all our meetings; I'm not probably going to be able to attend the meetings," Izzy said.

Skye nodded, "Yes, Ma'am," she said.

"Also, get leadership on the phone; I'm going to need to be home for the funeral of Sergeant Garrison," Izzy said.

"Yes, Ma'am," Skye said.

"Also, Skye, make sure Kari is squared away and everything is running in the office," Izzy said.

"Yes, Ma'am," Skye said, "What do you want me to handle first?"

"Leadership, I need them behind this before we do anything else," Izzy said.

John looked at Izzy and offered her a water bottle and a tissue. After she took them, he turned to his staffer and started to give them instructions. Izzy had done that job in the past and knew he was setting up an arrangement with his latest mistress.