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Lost and Found
Author: Pixie Rating: PG Category: JAG Story Disclaimers: Neither JAG nor its characters belong to me. I'm not making any money from this little escapade, so please don't sue me.
****** Part 6 ******
1357 Zulu (0857 Local) JAG Headquarters Falls Church, Virginia
A gentle breeze ruffled the edges of the American flag as Bud took his place at the podium. He looked at the group of JAG officers and staff standing at attention in neat rows. Beyond them, were several rows of civilians, family, and friends who had come to view the ceremony. He looked a question at the group seated on the platform. At a nod from CNO Clark, he glanced at his notes, then keyed on the microphone. "Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to today's ceremony. We are here to witness an important event – The Judge Advocate General Change of Command Ceremony. We are honored to have Admiral Vern Clark, Chief of Naval Operations as the presiding officer for today's ceremony. On the platform with me are Admiral Clark, the Honorable Edward Sheffield, Secretary of the Navy, Admiral A.J. Chegwidden, Judge Advocate General, and Admiral John Carroll Blankenship IV, Judge Advocate General Designate." As Bud spoke each person's name, they nodded their heads slightly, accepting scattered applause from the civilians. "For today's ceremony, Commander Sturgis Turner will be acting as Commander of Troops, and Petty Officer Jennifer Coates will be acting as Adjutant." A lone bugler played the adjutant's call, and Petty Officer Jennifer Coates stepped sharply forward, and then turned to face the ranks of officers and staff. Meanwhile, Admiral Chegwidden stepped off the platform and moved to stand before the ranks. "Present…Arms!" Every arm snapped forward and up, holding the salute. Jen turned and saluted the admiral. "Sir," she said. "The group is formed." The admiral returned Jen's salute then turned to survey the assembled staff, his eyes resting momentarily on each familiar face. "Order…Arms!" Sturgis ordered, and every hand snapped forward and down. Bud keyed the microphone back on, continuing his narration for the benefit of the assembled civilians. "A distinctive feature of military ceremonies is the formal presentation of command to the presiding officer. The group formation represents all the men and women who have served with Admiral Chegwidden and the men and women who will serve with Admiral Blankenship. After Admiral Chegwidden presents the command, Ruffles and Flourishes and the Flag Officer's March will be played in honor of Admiral Clark. Ladies and gentlemen, please rise." "Present…Arms," ordered Sturgis, and hands snapped to salute once again. Admiral Chegwidden faced about, saluted Admiral Clark, and said, "Sir, I present the Command." They held the salute while the small military band played four ruffles and flourishes, and then the Admiral's March. As the last note of the Admiral's March faded, Admiral Clark returned Admiral Chegwidden's salute. A.J. faced about again, returning his attention to the assembled officers and enlisted. "Order…Arms!" Sturgis commanded, and hands snapped down in a neatly executed return to attention. Bud spoke again. "In days of old, the color guard led the charge into battle. These guardsmen braved the enemy fire to inspire their fellow warriors to victory. Escorting the colors of the United States Navy is the Norfolk Naval Base Honor Guard. Ladies and gentlemen. Please remain standing as the colors are brought forward and our National Anthem is played." After the National Anthem and departure of the color guard, the admiral ordered the troops to present arms and then to parade rest. A naval chaplain did a short invocation, and then it was time for the inspection of the troops. "Atench…Hut!" ordered Sturgis, and the staff snapped to attention. "Present…Arms!" With the staff standing at attention and stiffly holding the formal salute, Bud continued his narration. "A traditional part of the change of command ceremony is an inspection of the troops prior to the exchange of leadership. Inspection of the troops began with the restoration of Charles the Second to the throne of England. When one of Cromwell's regiments offered its allegiance, the king carefully scrutinized the face of each soldier in the ranks. Convinced of their sincerity, he accepted their escort. This tradition is carried on today as Admiral Chegwidden prepares the JAG Corps to be turned over to Admiral Blankenship." Admiral Chegwidden moved slowly down the ranks, his eyes meeting each staff member's gaze for a few moments before he moved on. He lingered a few times, giving almost imperceptible nods to Sturgis, Mac, and finally Harm, but he kept his face expressionless, his bearing stiff. Nobody would know how much this part of the ceremony tugged at his heart. Finally, his inspection complete, he nodded to Sturgis. "Order…Arms!" Ordered Sturgis, and then "Parade…Rest!" Bud continued his narration. "The Change of Command has a long and honorable history. In the middle ages, it was not uncommon for the soldiers to be unaware of who their commanders were or what they looked like. A formal Change of Command afforded these troops the opportunity to witness the proceedings and actually see their commander. The continental army of the United States under the command of General George Washington conducted the first official ceremony in America. The Change of Command symbolically transfers authority and responsibility from one commander to the next, thus ensuring a continuous unbroken chain of command. In keeping with this honored tradition, Admiral Clark will preside as Admiral Chegwidden relinquishes command and Admiral Blankenship assumes command of the Naval and Marine Judge Advocate General Corps. Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the Change of Command ceremony." Sturgis brought the staff back to attention then waited while Bud read the order. Then Admiral Chegwidden turned to Admiral Clark and saluted. "Sir, I relinquish command." He held the salute until Admiral Clark returned it. Then Admiral Blankenship stepped forward. He was shorter than Admiral Chegwidden, and rounder, with craggy features and an aristocratic bearing. He saluted Admiral Clark. "Sir," he said in a smoothly cultured voice. "I assume command." Admiral Clark returned the salute and Bud keyed the microphone. "Please join me in welcoming the new Judge Advocate General, Admiral John Carroll Blankenship." "The fourth," murmured the new JAG under his breath, as he nodded gravely in response to the polite applause. Then he moved to stand before the JAG staff and Admiral Chegwidden returned to the podium. "Admiral Blankenship will now receive the traditional first salute from the JAG Corps," said Bud. Admiral Blankenship took a few seconds to scan his eyes across the assembled staff before nodding to Sturgis to bring them to attention. "Present…Arms!" ordered Sturgis, and Admiral Blankenship was pleased at the precision with which all hands snapped to attention. "Order…Arms!" Hands snapped back down in unison. "Ladies and gentlemen," said Bud, reading from the script. "The men and women of the Judge Advocate General Corps are proud to have served with Admiral Chegwidden, and we wish him well in his retirement." He looked over at A.J., gave him a brief, heartfelt nod of respect, and then turned to Admiral Blankenship. "We also welcome Admiral Blankenship and his family as he assumes his new duties." There was another round of polite applause as the military band began to play the Navy Anthem. When the last note faded away, Sturgis commanded the staff to parade rest and then waited while Bud spoke his closing lines. "Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Admiral Clark, Secretary of the Navy Sheffield, Admiral Chegwidden, and Admiral Blankenship, we would like to thank you for your support and attendance at today's ceremony." Sturgis dismissed the ranks, Bud keyed off the microphone, and the ceremony came to an end. As the staff dispersed for the formal reception, Harm stopped Mac with a light touch on her arm. "You did a good job pulling that together," he said. She smiled. "Thanks, but I have to say I'm glad it's over. I much prefer being in the courtroom to being in command." She glanced to where A.J. was shaking hands with Admiral Blankenship. "I can't imagine how he did it for as long as he did." Harm followed the direction of her gaze. "You know, he wasn't always the easiest man to work with, but I respect him more than just about any other man I know." Admiral Chegwidden finished talking to Blankenship, and walked over to them. Harm and Mac snapped to attention. A.J. smiled slightly. "Relax," he said. "I'm retired now, remember?" Harm and Mac relaxed, moving automatically to the familiar parade rest position. "Sir," said Harm. "It was an honor serving with you." A.J. considered that with a crooked grin. "It was…interesting," he said. "You'll be missed, Sir," said Mac. "You won't have time to miss me, Colonel. From what I hear about Admiral Blankenship, you'll be too busy." He looked back at Harm. "How's the ankle?" "Better, Sir. Thanks. And thanks for coming after me." "If I hadn't, I think Mac would've resigned her commission and done it herself," answered A.J., and Mac shifted a little, uncomfortable at the comment. There was a brief awkward silence, and then A.J. cleared his throat. "Time for me to go. It wouldn't do to be late for the reception." "Yes, Sir. We'll see you there." Harm and Mac exchanged a glance, and then snapped to attention, saluting their commanding officer for the final time. A.J. returned the salute, and then left, walking briskly toward the parking lot. "It's not going to be the same with him gone," said Mac. "I know," said Harm. "He was good man, and a great leader." He nodded across to where Admiral Blankenship had stopped to talk to Sturgis. "What do you think?" "Too early to tell," said Mac, "though I'm a little nervous about the four after his name." Harm chuckled a little, then glanced at his watch. "We'd better get to the reception - wouldn't want to make a bad first impression." Mac grinned. "Do you think the admiral warned him what he was getting into?" she asked, as they turned toward the parking lot. "I doubt it," said Harm. "If he had, he'd probably have left the country just as fast as his legs could carry him." By silent agreement, they headed for Harm's SUV, climbing in and closing the doors with a muffled thud. As the powerful engine purred to life, they exchanged a smile. They'd lost an anchor in A.J. Chegwidden, but they were forging a new one in each other.
***** The End *****
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