JAMES J. ROWLEY TRAINING CENTER, BELTSVILLE, MARYLAND —3 DECEMBER 2010
Looking back, Elena Ryker wished she had just flat out said yes.
After Marcus left the Marines with numerous medals and commendations —including the Navy Cross to go along with his Purple Heart —and worked in local law enforcement in Colorado Springs for several years, Marcus had asked his wife on numerous occasions if she had any problems with his desire to join the United States Secret Service and eventually protect the president of the United States. There simply weren’t enough high-stakes responsibilities to keep Marcus satisfied in the Springs. Climbing fourteeners, cliff diving, rock climbing, and skydiving didn’t satiate his need for something bigger and more important. And while Elena had never actually said no to the question —as in, “No, I don’t have any problems with you joining the Secret Service” —she could hardly blame Marcus if he thought she had.
The first time he’d asked, Elena had replied that she wasn’t a big fan of moving to Washington, D.C. Still, she’d quickly added that she loved him and would support him wherever he wanted to go. The next time he’d asked was during the application and interview process. At that point, she’d said she loved the Front Range and the Rockies and wished they could live in the West for the rest of their lives.
The last time he’d asked her was the day he’d received his acceptance letter in the mail and his start date for training. He’d apparently detected a look of concern in her eyes, which had likely prompted the question. By then, however, Elena concluded it was too late. No, she didn’t like the idea one bit. But she really did love him. She knew better than anyone his thirst for adventure and his love of country. She felt selfish for wanting him to take a less dangerous road just to please her and their young son. And how could she say what she really felt now that he actually had the job?
If she could only dial back the hands of time.
Elena slipped her driver’s license under the bulletproof glass and waited. She looked down at Lars. Having celebrated his fourth birthday in June, he looked adorable in his new suit, white dress shirt, and clip-on tie, all fresh off the rack from Sears. That morning at the hotel, she’d made him take a bath, trimmed his jet-black hair, and slicked it back with a bit of the gel Marcus used. She’d even bought him a cheap pair of sunglasses from Walgreens so he could look “just like Daddy.”
Now their son was beaming, full of anticipation, as he held Elena’s hand and kept asking when they could go into the auditorium. A moment later, Elena was handed back her ID and given two visitor passes. She put one lanyard around her neck and the other around Lars’s. Then they got in line, put their belongings through the X-ray machine, passed through the magnetometers, and entered with the other nicely dressed and freshly scrubbed families.
Lars picked the seats, in the middle and close to the front, as usual. He was off-the-charts excited about this day, one he’d been anticipating since Marcus had started his training. And Elena remained on her best behavior, keeping her many and growing reservations to herself. Her husband had been selected out of thousands of applicants. He had passed his training with the highest marks. Maybe this really was God’s perfect plan for his life, for all their lives. Who was she to say otherwise?
The ceremony began precisely at ten that brisk December morning. A senior agent who looked to be in his midforties walked onstage and stepped up to the microphone. He gave some introductory remarks and then introduced the director of the United States Secret Service.
“Good morning. It is my great honor to welcome all of the spouses and children and families and friends who have traveled, some a great distance, to be with us today,” the director, a silver-haired gentleman in his sixties, began. “I remember this day well, both as the son of a special agent, watching my father take the oath of office in 1967, and years later as a graduate myself, taking the oath to join this elite cadre of America’s brightest and most brave. I remember the pride I felt becoming part of a team dedicated to defending our most sacred national institutions —our leaders and our currency and financial systems. I remember how difficult it was to explain to family and friends why I would be willing to train so hard and work such long hours and be away from home so often and even lay down my life, if necessary, to safeguard our values and our democratic system of government. But I also remember the pride and sense of accomplishment I felt that day, and every day since, and I see that same sense of pride and devotion in each of your eyes.”
The director commended the graduates for passing the exhaustive background checks and rigorous testing and demanding physical preparation required to join the thirty-two hundred special agents and thirteen hundred uniformed officers of the Secret Service. He spoke of the history of the organization: its founding in 1865 and its evolving roles and responsibilities over the years. Elena knew Lars would remember none of the words. She likely wouldn’t either. She doubted that even Marcus would. But none of them would ever forget the feeling of being inducted into something special, something honorable and good.
Then came the big moment. The director asked the trainees to stand, raise their right hands, and repeat after him. Elena lifted Lars up so he could see his father. They were just a few rows behind him, so they had a great view. Lars had chosen well.
“I, Marcus Johannes Ryker . . .”
“I, Marcus Johannes Ryker . . .” his wife and son repeated to each other in a whisper.
“. . . do solemnly swear . . ”
“. . . do solemnly swear . . .”
“. . . that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States . . .”
“. . . that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States . . .”
“. . . against all enemies, foreign and domestic . . .”
“. . . against all enemies, foreign and domestic . . .”
“. . . that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same . . .”
“. . . that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same . . .”
“. . . that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion . . .”
“. . . that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion . . .”
“. . . and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.”
“. . . and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.”
“So help me God.”
“So help me God.”
So that was that, Elena thought as the room erupted in applause. She was now the wife of a special agent of the United States Secret Service. She had known since the sixth grade that she’d fallen in love with a boy who loved big risks and great adventure. She could hardly hold it against him now.
Yet truth be told, she did.