The Final Day

I had not been to bed since early Sunday, and I was discouraged and almost exhausted. Many agonizing hours without sleep had removed any bright visions of the future or vivid memories of the past. I could think only of the current challenge.

It was my last day in office, and in many ways these were the most dramatic moments of my presidency. America's diplomatic, military and economic forces were marshaled, ready to respond to my command. It was a challenging and at times tormenting experience. I needed to be constantly alert, but there...

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