Chapter 62: Recognition and Homecoming
The aftermath of the battle at D.C. was a mix of exhaustion and pride. George, his girls, and the remaining soldiers stood at attention in front of the White House, battered but victorious. The President of the United States, a man who had aged rapidly due to the immense pressure of the apocalypse, stood on the steps surrounded by military officials and survivors from the battle. His face was solemn, but his eyes carried the weight of gratitude.
The ceremony was brief, there wasn't time for grand celebrations when the world was still in chaos, but it was significant. The President addressed the gathered soldiers, acknowledging the immense losses they had faced but also commending them for holding the line against impossible odds.
"Today, we stand as the last defense of this country," the President said, his voice strong. "And because of all of you, we are still standing. To those we lost, we owe our freedom. To those who fought and survived, we owe our future."