Chapter 50
The speaker gestured me to the stand.This time I had the tears in my eyes. I turned my back to the audience and John passed me a tissue. I cleared my eyes and got my composure.
I said, "Thank you, Mr. Speaker and this great congress. I have been lucky enough to visit so many of your high schools and meet so many great and wonderful people around this country. I am glad I am not American, as I would not know where to settle. I am afraid I would become a hobo wondering from town to town in this great land."
"This award I will treasure always. I can't believe this country. I travel from coast to coast, from Florida to the Canadian border and after seeing your land talking to your people, I come back here and for doing such a pleasurable task and receive a medal."
"Your citizens, which by the way feel like my citizens of Canada, have the same aspirations.We want the same things.We are alike in so many ways.
"Our country and your country, we are one on this issue and many others. This is how we should all get along. Crime will be reduced by the thousands because of your efforts. The war on drugs will now be winnable because our young will not grow up in despair but with a future. A future that allows and encourages them to dare to dream and accomplish,somewhere out there today is a student that one day will be your president."
"His or her job will be made easier by what you, the Congress of the United States, you law makers. The teachers of this country can take pride in their skills as the students can once again take pride in their accomplishments."
"Sorry guys, I get off on a tangent some times because I care for your people and ours and all people on this planet that want to learn and grow a healthy mind. Thank you again for the Medal. It will be cherished."
The place went into a roar as John nudged my shoulder to leave. I was now in front. He was behind as we went into the hall way and John said, "Pick up the pace or the reporters will corner you and it will be tomorrow before we get dinner."
Outside we brushed by the reporters. The secret service had us protected. In the limo, I had my first look at the medal. I started to fill up again. John said, "It is a great honour bestowed upon you but you deserve it. The congress voted unanimously there was not even a discussion. Never in my life time have I seen this country so united."
"Where are my girls? They were all there including Mary. She was watching on closed circuit but saw it all. We are heading to another shindig in your honour."
"John, I've had enough."
"Afraid not, you are a national treasure that belongs to the people." I admired the medal and John sat quietly even though I knew he was bursting at the seams. We got back, entered an elevator and were back in his apartment.
He said, "We've got ten minutes to freshen up. There is a wash room and grab some tissues. they come in handy sometimes."
"John, I am sorry. It was so unexpected and overwhelming."
"Yes and you still managed to come up with a speech longer than the Gettysburg address."
"Sorry, not familiar with that one. What part of Canada was he from?"
John Laughed, "You punk."
We went down stairs and entered a banquet hall and the song started up again as we both walked up to the podium, me wearing my newly acquired medal. The applause was loud again. Finally settling down after several minutes.
John said, "I am going to walk around with this fellow all the time. I never before received such applause. I had this gentlemen fresh off the plane, with no warning walk into congress where, deservedly so, he was awarded one of our highest non-military awards, the Congressional Gold Medal."
"This medal was given tonight in front of dignitaries from all over the free world that have now started similar programs to properly educate their students. Due in no small part to this young man alongside me tonight. Without further pomp I am proud to present to Mr Scott Hanson our other highest non-Military honour,the Presidential Medal of Freedom."
"This man has done exactly what the medal says "Freedom", the setting lose of thousands of minds on the road to a healthy mind."
Chapter51
Flashes were going off from every angle and the cameras were rolling and lights blinding. When the applause died down I said, "Wow, another honour that is beyond my comprehension. They fly me all over this country. I got to talk to fellow students and some political figures. I come back here and get not one but two prestigious medals that I will cherish all the days of my life."
"Good fellows with those cameras, can you please give me indirect lighting if your cameras won't work I have some I phones around that work great."
"It is so hard to talk when you can't see and if I remember rightly the last time I had a reporter point a camera light at me he ended up dead because there was a gun behind that light and we don't want any accidents here this evening."
"Mr President you owe me 5 dollars for that one."
"People I got to get back the $5.00 when I can. He gives me so many compliments I am going broke." Receiving laughter from the crowd.
"I cannot express my gratitude but it's not me, it's the teachers of this land, the students of this land, and the coaches of this land making {No Competitive Sports} work. I am just a pawn on this chess board of life."
"With that, I thank you all for being here. It is an honour to be in such distinguished company."
The applause rang out and out stepped The Prime Minister of Canada, the Premier of Nova Scotia, the mayor of Chester, the commissioner and Mrs Dagger. I stepped back on the podium and I said,"Ladies and gentlemen but I would like to indulge your patience for another minute."
The cameras came back to life as I said, "Mr.President please," signalling him to my side. "Ladies and gentlemen, I Would like to introduce to you some of my fellow Canadians that helped me get where I am at this moment in time, first the Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Clapper.
"The Primer of Nova Scotia, Bob Hatfield, that is that little province that almost became an island that would drift to the state of Maine. Next is the mayor of my home town of Chester, the police commissioner and last but not least a very very special lady, principal and mentor Mrs Dagger."
"I don't feel so outnumbered now that I have a few of us Canadians around, not that were competitive but it does feel good." There was another round of applause and we stepped down.
The president took us all to a receiving line and the secretary of the president introduced us to all the foreign dignitaries. They were from France, Poland, Germany, Turkey, and various nations of Africa. I think all the free nations were there. Dinner was formal, again. I am at the head, the president on the right, the Prime Minister on the left and my girls were in amongst the dignitaries.
After dinner, a short circulating around with the secretary to point out whom I was talking to. Marsha came over and said, "I am very tired and was going to bed." I had to ask where we were sleeping. The President's secretary smiled and said "this way" and led her to the elevator taking her upstairs."Once off the elevator they will show you where." I kissed Marsha and said,"I will be along soon my love."
I guess a few people heard that and it was getting late so it wasn't long and we were alone again with Stephen, John and my family with Shelia she retired too, leaving us to talk.
Stephen said "We want you in Ottawa tomorrow for much the same thing."
