4th scene from the Son of Man

Sadie was sleeping soundly on her father’s shoulder when the family arrived at Hampton beach. When she finally awoke, the huge tumultuous crowd took her completely by surprise. It took the family a few moments to settle her down.1

Scores of military vehicles were driving up and down the beach. Each one equipped with a loud speaker conveying the same message.2

“Last names beginning with A through C, must make their way north along the beach until they come to the landing zone clearly marked A through C.3

Last names beginning with D through F must make their way north along the beach until they come to the landing zone clearly marked D through F.4

“Last names beginning with…”5

Eric looked at the nearest landing zone. “We have to go south!” he yelled over the din.6

“How far?” Stacey asked. She held her hand up, shielding her eyes from the blinding glare reflecting off the Atlantic Ocean.7

“Well, this is M through O,” Eric answered, “so we have to go a little ways further south.”8

The family began making their way south along the beach. As they slowly walked, Eric could see rows of titanic ships lined up as far as he could see into the horizon. Helicopters buzzed to and fro over their heads like gigantic wasps. Landing craft were constantly moving back and forth, empty ones coming into the shore, full ones hurrying back out again. They finally found the landing zone marked W through Z.9

“Look honey,” Eric said, pointing at the sky, “the planes are flying again.” Stacey looked up to see rows of jet plumes streaking high over their heads, each plume heading east, towards Europe.10

They patiently waited in line for hours. Each new landing craft leaving the beach allowed the long line to push forward ever so slightly. The girls took turns napping in their parents arms. Throughout the long day, the children bickered and argued. Tempers flared as they methodically moved forward in line until finally they were prompted to move up the wide ramp onto the landing craft. As the family made their way up the ramp, Sadie suddenly changed her mind and didn’t want to go. Her father explained to her that it was just like a ride at the Silver Mountain Fun Park and she finally relented.11

Within a very short time the family was standing in a large crowd of somber, weather-worn American citizens looking back at the coast from the deck of the mighty aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan.12

“Where are we going?” Stacey asked, her eyes filling up with tears.13

“I don’t know,” Eric answered, softly.14

They had been in such a hurry to get their family to safety they hadn’t considered what it was going to be like to forever leave their beloved homeland. Eric stared out over the blue water, at the never-ending carousels of landing vehicles busily moving back and forth. He looked past the shoreline, onto the crowded, riotous beach. He noticed how thick and plush the New England forests were this time of year. He remembered his childhood growing up in Vermont, riding bicycles up and down the steep hills, family reunions and ballgames in the park. He looked up at the star spangled banner waving proudly over the deck of the USS Ronald Reagan. Reaching down, he lifted little Sadie onto his shoulder.15

“Look sweetheart,” he said, softly. “That was the United States of America. You remember what it looked like, ok? You keep this memory forever in your heart…Tell your children about this place, and tell them to tell their children…Promise me you will never forget the United States of America.”16