Chapter 1,
National Treasure?
The bell had just rang signaling the end of second period and the kids were rushing through the halls to get to their next class when the pile up started to happen at the main doors. The cause appeared to be the three large black SUVs with blacked out windows. They had just pulled up and stopped right at the doors. Only a few noticed the small green flag on the middle SUV that had two gold stars emblazoned on it. Even fewer knew what that flag meant and none of them could figure out why they would be at McKinley High School in their small town.
Expecting to see some kind of celebrity, the kids were shocked when men in army fatigues jumped out of the first and third vehicles and surrounded the second one as an older man in an army dress uniform stepped out.
Making a motion with his hand, the older officer led the way towards the main doors followed by two of his men as the rest stayed with the vehicles. Entering the building, the Major General of the US Army asked one of the random students standing there to point them in the direction of the principal's office. Nervously, the student raised a shaking hand and pointed in the correct direction. With a nod of thanks, the men began walking the direction they had been guided.
With no clue as to what was happening, the students rushed towards their next classes, suddenly realizing that if they didn't hurry they would be late.
Arriving at what was obviously the administration area, the two star general stopped before a secretary and waited for her to acknowledge him.
Having seen the army men approaching, the secretary did her best to put on a confident smile before asking "Good morning Sir, how may I help you today?"
"I am here to see a Principal Figgins, would you be so kind as to tell him that Major General Thomas Reynolds is here to see him." the army officer informed the lady.
"Of course General, one moment please" the secretary said as she stood to go into the principal's office rather than use the phone to talk with the school administrator.
Coming back out of the office she said "Go right in Sir" before returning to her desk. She was not surprised when only the Major General entered the office with the other two men staying in the outer office with her.
xxxxxxx
As he entered the office the General could see the principal behind the desk rising to greet him. Stopping before the desk he said "Principal Figgins? My name is Major General Thomas Reynolds."
"How may I help you today General Reynolds" the principal asked.
"I have a letter here that I believe will explain it all." the general replied as he took an envelope from an inner pocket and handed it over.
Stopping to stare at the label on the envelope, Principal Figgin's hands began to shake a little as he opened the unsealed envelope and removed the single sheet of paper. Staring in shock at the letterhead of the President of the United States, the school principal started reading the short letter.
To Whom It May Concern,
This letter is to inform you that Kurt Elizabeth Hummel has officially been declared a National Treasure of the United States of America.
Major General Thomas Reynolds has full authority and jurisdiction as regards the protection and development of this young man. All matters concerning this young man shall be determined by Major General Thomas Reynolds in consultation with Mr. Hummel.
The protection and encouragement of this countries National Treasures is one of the most important jobs we have. Any and all assistance in this matter is expected and required.
Signed this day in the Oval Office,
Henry Watson
President of the United States of America
"I, I don't understand" the very nervous principal stated.
"It's very simple, Kurt Hummel is a National Treasure, making him extremely important to the President. I am here to ensure his protection and safety. One of my men will be with him every moment that he is on school grounds. The only reason I am here is to inform you of this fact as a courtesy. I didn't want anyone to panic when Mr. Hummel suddenly has Army Rangers escorting him wherever he goes." the general replied.
As the general sat in the chair in front of the desk he continued "would you have someone escort my men to where Mr. Hummel is currently and have him brought here please?"
"Of course, right away" Principal Figgins answered as he reached for the intercom button asking the secretary to have someone take the army men to where Kurt Hummel was currently located and have him escorted to the office.
As the two men sat there in silence waiting, the general thought back to the day before when he had a very surprising meeting with the President.
xxxxxxx
He had been surprised to get the summons to the white house, two stars like himself didn't usually get a call like that. It almost always came through channels from the three or four star generals above him. Entering the office he saw the President rise and come around the desk holding out his hand to greet him.
"General Reynolds, it's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for taking the time to come in today." the President said.
"It's my pleasure Mr. President, thank you for having me" the general replied.
"Please, let's sit. I have an unusual job for you and it's going to take a bit of explaining." the President said as he led the man to the couches so they both could sit.
Beginning the tale the President said "As you may or may not know, my wife is a big supporter of the arts, music in particular. She also happens to be addicted to surfing the internet for videos of young singers with potential. She came across this particular young man then proceeded to google his name to find out more. In addition to his amazing voice she came across one of those 'It Gets Better' entries as well. It seems that the young man in question is an out gay youth at his high school and the only one at that. He gets bullied everyday he is there. I'm not talking about simple name calling although that does happen as well. I'm talking about being tossed into the dumpster, getting an ice drink thrown in his face multiple times a day, being body slammed into the lockers until his body is bruised. I'm afraid that if it continues, his name will be one of those we hear about on the news at night."
Seeing the passion in the President's eyes, the general was starting to get the idea of what he would soon be doing.
Pulling a laptop off the coffee table between them, the President opened it and said "I want you to hear one song before we go any further" before pressing a key on the laptop.
Even though the general would probably never admit it, he immediately knew the song. After all, Julie Andrews had always been one of his favorite actresses.
As he listened to the recording of 'Le Jazz Hot' the general was hard pressed to remember that this was a young man singing the song and not actually Julie Andrews. When the song ended, the general looked at the President and said "very impressive."
"Yes, he is. I have a file and a cd for you to go over en-route to help you prepare. My people found everything they could about this young man for me. What I want you to do is to go to Lima, Ohio and protect and encourage this young man. Let him know that not everyone in this world is against him. Let him know that there are people out there who believe in him and that he matters." The President looked at his general and continued "General, I've not asked you about your beliefs concerning gay men, and I won't. What I'm asking for is your help to prevent this young man from becoming a name on the news."
"Sir, I've never had any problems with anyone's sexuality. I may be an Army General but what a person does in the privacy of their own bedrooms is entirely up to them as long as they break no laws." the man said, adding "If my help can prevent even one child from giving up, then I am willing."
"Good, that's the type of people I like working for me. Make sure the men you take with you are of the same caliber please" the President finished, concluding with "I have a letter here naming the young man a National Treasure giving you full rights to his protection. Use it as you see fit. If this works out like I hope it does, this may become a full program to help the youth of our country. And again, thank you General."
Leaving the Oval Office, the general began to organize in his mind who and what would be needed for this protection detail he had been assigned.