The next morning at eight o'clock.
Luke and his family arrived at the hotel conference room once more to verify their identities and were told they could not bring weapons into the White House.
At eight-thirty-five in the morning, two buses arrived at the hotel, ready to take the awardees and their families to the White House.
Visiting the White House was not a new experience; parts of the White House are open to tourists during certain hours, and Robert had toured the White House in his youth.
But this visit to the White House was different, his grandson was about to be awarded the highest honor by the Great Commander, and he himself was an invited guest, ready to boast to his old buddies once he returned.
Linda had woken up at six in the morning, hired a professional makeup artist, and dressed in her most beautiful clothes. As a single mother, there was no prouder day than this.
The little chubby boy had been video chatting with Maggie all the time, his chubby face blushing and showing his excitement.
To look slimmer on camera, he skipped dinner the previous night and only ate an egg and drank a glass of milk this morning.
After boarding the bus, Li Zhaonian found a seat next to Luke and they whispered to each other.
Luke enjoyed talking to this uncle, the two had much in common, and this was why he wanted to teach his brother about Chinese culture, to have someone to speak their hometown language with in the future.
America is a nation of immigrants, comprising multiple races and ethnicities, and while integrating into local society, it is also important to preserve one's own cultural identity.
This is not about being special or antisocial; Anglos, Jews, African Americans, and Mexican Americans have all integrated into American society while still retaining their cultural identities.
Many African Americans even hang their 'home' flags openly in their yards.
Val was also very excited today, dressing up carefully and applying plenty of hair gel. As soon as he got on the bus, he looked around eagerly.
A Mexican-American man with his left hand in bandages boarded the bus, glanced at the back seats, and walked towards the seat in front of Val.
Val stared at the man, "Are you Chris Franco?"
The Mexican-American man replied, "Yes, do you know me?"
A man armed with an AK entered a Wal-Mart and started shooting indiscriminately, resulting in dozens of customers and staff being injured or killed in the bloody scene.
You bravely stepped forward, hitting the gunman with a bottle, but then you were spotted by him, leading the assailant to shoot at you. You were hit by two bullets. I've been following this shooting case, you're a hero."
Chris Franco smiled, "I'm not as spectacular as you say. I'm not a police officer, nor was I armed. But I couldn't just stand by and watch the killer slaughtering people in the supermarket.
I just grabbed a beer bottle and threw it at him. I'm not a professional pitcher, so it took me several tries to hit him. The good news is he stopped chasing other customers, but the bad news is he turned his attention to me and left me some 'gifts.'"
Chris Franco pointed to his arm, "Actually, I didn't play a huge role, I just did what I had to do."
Val said, "You did great, especially because you are not a police officer, it makes what you did even more remarkable.
I also work at a supermarket and deal with all kinds of customers every day, but you are certainly one of the most righteous ones I've met."
Val handed him a business card, "If you ever come to Los Angeles, be sure to visit our supermarket, we would be delighted to serve you."
"Thank you." Chris Franco smiled, then asked, "Sorry buddy, I don't know you yet, are you here to receive an award too?"
"I got so excited, I forgot to introduce myself.
My name is Val, and I'm here with my nephew who is receiving an award." Val pointed to Luke beside him, "This is my nephew Luke, he killed the Las Vegas shooter."
Chris Franco looked at Luke, "Wow, no wonder you look familiar. I've heard about your deeds; they're incredible.
When you have time, you'll have to tell me all about what happened, it must have been intense."
"No problem, after the award ceremony, we can go for a drink at the bar and have a good chat." Luke had also heard about the Texas supermarket shooting, which resulted in 23 dead and 23 injured, ranking it as the seventh deadliest mass shooting in America.
Chris Franco praised, "Great idea, I'll cover the first round."
Sitting next to Luke, Li Zhaonian joked, "Buddy, never try to pay the bill in front of a Chinese person."
Amidst casual chatter, the bus headed towards the White House.
Luke was also somewhat excited; it was not just the medal itself that was important in receiving the award, but more so the meaning and influence behind it.
In just a few short months since arriving in Los Angeles, Luke had received the highest honor of the police force, a recognition of his abilities and a confirmation that he had chosen the right path.
Luke was about to take on greater honor and responsibility, and at the same time, he was approaching a new beginning.
After reaching the White House, all passengers on the bus went through security checks again, then the awardees and their families were separated, with Luke and other awardees being directed to a waiting room.
Alongside Luke, there were ten people being honored, including Fatou Brandi from the Las Vegas Fire Department and the Mexican-American civilian Chris Franco.
Including Luke, seven were dressed in police or fire department uniforms, with three civilian awardees.