Beyond The Oath

It's All Falling Into Place

 A week later Gibbs and the team get ready for the ceremony.

Jack: "Where's Gibbs."
Ducky: "He should be-"

(Elevator dings open)

Jack: "Damn."

Jenny: "Looking good Jethro."

Ducky: "Jethro, may I speak with you?"
Gibbs: "Yeah Duck?"
Ducky: (Whispers) "Figured you needed saving."

Gibbs: "Thanks Doc."

Ducky: "Anytime."

At the ceremony.

The President: "Thank you everyone, please be seated. Good Afternoon and on behalf of Bess and myself welcome to the White House, I hear it's pretty nice here. (Chuckles)

Honor, courage, commitment, are characteristics embedded into every Marine. They carry that with them for the rest of their lives. It has been said that 'Where there is a brave man in the thickest of the fight there is a post for honor.' Ronald Reagen once said that "Some people will wonder all their lives if they've made a difference." Marines don't have that problem. (Chuckling) Today we pay tribute to a man who answered his country's call to duty since 1976, now I know what you're thinking "What the hell is this old man doing up here?" (Laughing) Trust me, just keep listening. This American has placed himself in the line of fire more times than you can count. In doing so, he has earned the Nation's highest honor, The Medal Of Honor. Today will mark the first time a retired Marine turned NCIS to be honored. This man served in Desert Storm and Panama. Now I'm sure many of you here can say he's saved your ass a couple of times over the years, I know I can. This man showed conspicuous gallantry and valor on the battlefield. The Nation would like to recognize Gunnery Sergeant Leroy Jethro Gibbs. (Applause) Jethro at first appearance may seem like the quiet, brooding type, who has fangs and spits acid, which he does at time (Laughter) But I swear to you, once you get past that he is the nicest guy you'll know....ish. (Chuckling) Jethro is the kinda man that gets the job done. When I called to inform him that he was being awarded the Medal of Honor,it took me a few tries, but finally I got a hold of him. He was in Iraq, showing their Security Force how to process a crime scene. Where he was for 10 months. And Jethro I would like to thank you for finally answering my call. (Chuckling) The Medal reflects the respect and gratitude of a grateful nation. So today we are joined by members of Congress. Members of my Administration, including Secretary of Veteran Affairs Ric Shinseki, Navy Secretary Sarah Porter, leaders from across our armed forces, including the Commandant Of The Marine Corps, David .H. Berger. We are also honored to welcome NCIS Director Leon Vance and former First Lady Michelle Obama. We are also joined by Jethro's close friends. Now I know the last 5 years have been difficult for you, grappling with the guilt of the Marines and Soldiers who lost their lives that day. But as you said on an over the phone interview, it gives you a chance to honor the fallen. So that's why we're here today. It makes sense we do this today, because it will mark 25 years since the attack that took this Nation to war. Now let me tell you why we're here today. I wanna take you too November 21st 2021, normal day at FOB Sykes, 60 Marines and Soldiers are on patrol an hour out, leaving 30 at the base, at 2130, Mortars, Artillery, RPGs and heavy machine gunfire are raining from all directions, Taliban fighters managed to get inside the wire. Gibbs, the only man not incompasitated in the North side of the base, he went under the cover of night to retrieve the wounded. He managed to carry 15 wounded back to a secure location. He went back out one last time to find then Captain Felix Bennet, pinned on top of the only watchtower still standing, Gibbs takes them out, and they make their way back to the others. As they're running back to the only area still secure on the base, 2 insurgines come out from behind the base Commander's office, Gibbs shielded Bennet from the spray of bullets, getting hit 4 times, Bennet took the two out and got Gibbs back into cover. As a corpsman is working on Gibbs, an insurgine makes his way into the compound where the survivors are taking cover. They engage into a gunfight, when the Taliban fighter runs out of ammo, he takes one last stand and throws a grenade. As the Marines and Soldiers take cover and hope, the grenade goes off....nothing happens, because Gibbs has pulled the grenade to his chest, and saved them all. The rest of troops made it back to the base and managed to call in air-support and a MEDEVAC. Now before all of this, Gibbs was awarded a Bronze Star for heroic achievement in a combat zone, Silver Star for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States and two purple hearts for being wounded in a combat zone. (Applause) Now I know what you're all wondering "Which Captain America movie did you pull this from?" I promise you there is no super soldier serum, it's just Stillwater coal ash. (Laughter) Jethro stated that he will accept the Medal in honor of those who never came home. So if you'll bow your heads in respect, The Marine who would steal your coffee- Gunnery Sergeant James Barnes, The most determined Marine you'd ever meet- Staff Sergeant Kate Phillips. The Soldier that will always have your 6- 1st Sergeant Jameson Daniels. The Marine who loved the outdoors- Second Lieutenant Markus Jackson. The husband and Father- First Lieutenant Micheal Johnson. The Marine who caught the MCPS tent on fire- Captain Aaron Brookes. The woman who lost her life trying to save her brothers and sisters- Hospitalman Third Class Natalie Smith. The Soldier that was wounded in battle and never recovered- Corporal Gunner Conway. The funniest Marine you'll ever meet- Gunnery Sergeant Alan Brice. And the strongest Marine you'll ever meet- Lance Corporal Charlie Westbrook. Now Jethro, though won't admit it, has felt guilty since that day, feeling as if he failed the ones who lost their lives. But as your Commander-In-Chief, on behalf of everyone here today, and all the Americans watching around the country, we want you to know that it's quite the opposite, You did you duty above and beyond and kept your faith in the country that you love, Because of your courage, 10 American heroes came home, and in the words of Micheal Johnson's wife "They could bury their loved ones with dignity." Because of your commitment in the thick of the fight hour after hour. In the words of Retired Marine Captain Luke Thompson, who read over Jethro's story "Hour after hour, you didn't give up, where others would have." And because of your hubble heroic example, adults and children alike can know that no matter where you come from, big cities or small towns, you can make a difference as a person and a member of America's family. Therein lies the greatest moral of that day at FOB Sykes, and the truth about the men and women in uniform, who live this out every day. "I was part of something that never should be able to happen, but it did and we have to live with the choices we made. That day we worked as a team, and that's how we got through it." So in keeping Jethro's wishes will then Captain, now Lieutenant Colonel Felix Bennet and then Gunnery Sergeant now First Sergeant Rose Hutton, please stand up and accept the thanks of a grateful Nation. (Wild Clapping) Every member of a team is just as important as the last. That's moral we all have to remember as citizens-as members of this great Nation and as we meet the test of our time, here, at home and in life. To my Marines, to the men and women in uniform, and to my fellow Americans, let as always be faithful. And as we prepare for the reading of the citation, God bless to all who have served and God bless America. Semper Fi!" (Echoing Oorah and applause)

Military Aid: "The President of the United States and members of Congress take pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Leroy Jethro Gibbs for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty. At FOB Sykes on the 21st of November 2021. While in the command tent of the base mortars, artillery, RPGs and heavy machine gun fire start coming from all directions. As Gibbs runs out in the cover of night finding 15 or more wounded he carries them to a safe location going out one more time to retrieve a pinned down Captain Felix Bennet. As they make their way back to the compound, two enemy fighters come out of the command tent and start shooting, as they release a spray of bullets Gibbs shields Bennet from the bullets being wounded 4 times. Bennet takes out the fighters and gets Gibbs into cover. As they're waiting for a lifeline, a fighter manages to get into the compound, this starts a fire fight. When the man runs out of ammo his last resort was to throw a grenade, as the wounded try to take cover the grenade goes off, but before it can kill 15 Americans, Gibbs pulls the grenade to his chest. Because of the heroic actions of this man that day 15 men and women are alive. (Medal is presented) (Applause)

Chaplain: " Let us close in a prayer: God may this ceremony serve as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with receiving the grace gift of freedom. And as we all depart from this hallowed hall and back to our daily lives, we pray that you will ennoble and enable us. That when called upon we will recall the resolute fearlessness of Leroy J Gibbs and all those who wear the stars of valor. To live up to our responsibilities and bring honor to you and this country. It is in your holy name we pray. Amen.

President: "Thank you all for joining us here today. We thank you Jethro, and we thank all of the men and women in uniform. I hope that all of you have not only been inspired by this ceremony. But I also hope that you will enjoy the hospitality of the White house. Now the after party begins, I hear the food here is great."

After the ceremony Gibbs gets bombarded by the media so Jack and Ducky have to go save him.

Jack: "Come on Gibbs." (Pulling on his arm)

Gibbs: "Thanks."
Jack: "You're welcome. Now I don't know what I should call you?"
Gibbs: "What?"
Jack: "I mean I don't know if I should call you my cowboy or my hero."

Gibbs: "Cowboy's fine."

Ducky: "Let's go before Anthony eats all the crabcakes."