Everything in Time
Chapter 1
Monday April 25, 2005
1330 Local Time
JAG Headquarters,
1322 Patterson Avenue, Courtroom 1
Washington Navy Yard, SE
The courtroom was the largest in the headquarters. Right now, there was no trial occurring and instead of a group of spectators, a group of judges and attorneys filled the gallery pews speaking amongst themselves. The conversations ceased as the door behind the judge's desk opened. The Judiciary CO Admiral Morris and the Navy JAG Marine General Gordon-Biff Creswell entered. The Marine Sergeant assigned to the courtroom intoned "All Rise!". All the gallery rose.
When Morris and Creswell reached the middle point in front of the bench, Morris announced, "Be seated and thank you for coming. We have two occasions to convey some good news and some better news to convey."
Everyone chuckled. Morris continued after it died down. "Admiral Anne Scotchel, please step forward."
Rear Admiral Scotchel stood up from the front pew and went to stand at attention in front of Morris. Morris accepted a framed proclamation from a corporal at the prosecution table.
Morris acknowledged her, saying, "Stand at ease Admiral. We are here to first commemorate the occasion of Admiral Scotchel's retirement from the Navy. She is accepting a federal Judge appointment to the Southern District in New York."
The gallery applauded the announcement. Morris had her pose with him as she accepted the proclamation and Morris' handshake. A photographer took a series of photos.
As Scotchel sat back down, Creswell went forward and intoned, "Commander Traci Manetti please step forward.
Traci Manetti-Medwick stood up from her seat at the end of a second pew and walked up to stand at attention in front of Creswell.
Traci and Commander David (Tuna) Medwick married on December 11, 2004 six months after Tuna had proposed to Traci at AJ Chegwidden's retirement dining out in June the previous year. Now she was four months along with their honeymoon baby.
"Captain, you're out of uniform," Creswell told her. Traci barely controlled her excitement at the announcement. Creswell continued with, Commander Medwick would you please bring in your wife's correct tunic."
Tuna went out of the room and retrieved the garment bag where he secreted it before he met his wife earlier.
When he came forward, he and Creswell assisted Traci as she changed tunics. Tuna also retrieved the Bible from the garment bag pocket. He positioned himself so that Admiral Morris could administer the oath of her new office.
"I, Captain Traci Manetti, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."
Turning to Tuna, Creswell said, "The next part is yours commander."
Tuna and Traci turned to each other and shared the usual kiss with Traci teasing, "Easy Officer."
The gallery applauded as Creswell counted to 20 and gave the usual cough. The happy couple broke apart and accepted handshakes from Creswell and Morris.
Creswell kept them up there as he announced, "To go along with her promotion comes a new position. Captain, we're sending you home to the land of your birth." Traci gasped as Creswell continued, "You will be the Commanding Officer of the Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) Western Pacific in Yokosuka, Japan."
The gallery applauded the news as Traci beamed appreciatively and Tuna gave her a hug.
Tuna said, "It won't be long until we're even."
"Well you are the CAG's XO on the Patrick Henry. You've paid your dues. Maybe you'll be on the promotions list this fall after your next deployment."
"Believe me sweetie, I'm not worried. We'll be fine. I just want our baby to come happy and healthy."
"She will darling."
"Oh, you know we're having a girl huh?"
"Call it woman's intuition."
Tuna smiled indulgently and walked out of the courtroom with everyone.
There was a reception in the commissary where Admiral Scotchel cut her retirement cake and Traci accepted congratulations.
Eventually Traci and Tuna were sitting with Lt. Commander Bud and Harriet Roberts. "Congratulations Captain," Bud said shaking her hand.
After Traci shared an embrace and kiss with Harriet, she asked, "So Bud Do you have any idea what you want to do with the rest of your career?"
"Well ma'am, Harriet and I are adjusting to being parents of five now. I've spoken with General Creswell. We both agree that if I stay at the Navy Yard HQ, I'll be just another lawyer. I think we can adjust to another billet outside of DC when it comes along."
"Well how far outside DC?"
Harriet replied, "Oh maybe the west coast, Europe or any other international billet. We understand that we can obtain the same medical care through the Navy as we have now; not only for Bud's care but for the children."
"That's what David and I are concerned about as I'm four months along."
"Congratulations on that," Bud said.
"Thank you, Bud. Well to move on, how about being my XO in Japan?"
Bud and Harriet's eyes bugged out a bit at the request. Harriet was the first to regain control. She replied, "That would be right up our alley."
"Oh good. We'll speak with General Creswell tomorrow to arrange everything."
"Looking forward to it ma'am, Bud said.
At another table Colonel Sarah Marshall was sitting with her husband John and her daughter 18-year-old Chloe. They were speaking with General Creswell.
"Chloe are you ready to start Plebe Summer next July?"
"Yes, sir I am," Chloe said proudly with some embarrassment.
The three officers shared a chuckle. John offered, "She worked very hard pulling a 3.8 GPI in school and her extracurriculars; so along with the recommendation letters from former President Bartlett and former SECNAV Nelson and Traci's dad Senator Manetti helped her along in getting accepted. All she has to do is live up to all that."
"Oh gee, thanks Dad, put a little more pressure on me," Chloe groused good naturedly.
After the laughter died down, Sarah did say, "I'm glad she was home this past year to help care for the youngsters in the evenings when I was dealing with my treatments."
"Any chance you'd want Admiral Scotchel's job as Judiciary XO?" Creswell asked Sarah.
"I don't know. I'm just getting back into the swing of things. Also, after dealing with the cancer treatments, I like that all I need to do is try cases and go home. I wouldn't be averse to a teaching post either in the Marines or when I retire."
"Are you thinking of retiring?" Creswell asked.
"Well I was about 80/20 to staying in when I was diagnosed last Spring. The Firearms Qualifications I won, thank you for the steak general, was the factor that made me decide to stay in."
Creswell smiled indulgently at that as he replied, "I'll tell you what, if I see if any teaching billets open up, I'll send them to you for your consideration."
Sarah smiled in appreciation of the generous command gesture and replied, "Thank you sir."
"You're welcome."
It wasn't long before the party broke up and the guests left.
Tuesday, July 5, 2005
0800 Local Time
US Naval Academy
Annapolis, MD
Sarah, John and the three younger Marshall children, Carolyn, Patrick & David were hugging Chloe. The Marshalls were at Annapolis the night before after spending the July 4th holiday weekend with the Rabbs at their bungalow on the beach in Rehoboth, DE. The Rabb family was standing back as they already expressed their well wishes.
Chloe was starting the Naval Academy's Plebe Summer, the summer training program which is required of all incoming freshmen to the United States Naval Academy. The program lasts approximately 7 weeks and consists of rigorous physical and mental training. The stated purpose of Plebe Summer according to the Academy is to "turn civilians into midshipmen".
"I'm gonna miss you Chloe," Carolyn cried in her sister's embrace.
"Oh pumpkin, this is what I have to do, what I signed up for. I'll always be your sister. I'll write you every day, I promise." Carolyn nodded as she let go. John came up and picked her up for her to cry on his shoulder. It was funny that both boys were fascinated
Sarah and John looked on proudly with their own tears running down their faces.
As Chloe went off to join the other plebes, the Marshalls and Rabbs joined the rest of the families in the stadium grandstand who had also said their goodbyes.
They looked as the plebes were gathered into formation for the welcoming ceremony. They stood and saluted as the national anthem was played. They listened to the usual speeches and looked on as the Academy Commandant administered the oath of office to the plebes. Soon after the that the plebes were marched off and the families dispersed.