=/\= Opening =/\=

   Hello everyone, and welcome to the August issue of the Independence Fleet Newsletter.  Lots of information this month so read up!

=/\= News Tidbit's =/\=

--Fleet Get Together--

     The Independence Fleet Get-Together was held 7-11 July in Wichita, Kansas.  The get together was a huge success. 

(Admiral Griffith, R. Admiral Person-Ferrin, and Captain Pontmercy)

(Rear Admiral Suzanne Karmin)

(Captain Marius Pontmercy GWB- Plays a little bit for us! Check his band out)

(Rear Admiral Pearson & Captain Pontmercy)

More pictures will be released at a later time.

- -Other News- -

   -Captain Joseph Carroll , long time founding member of IDF, was married (IRL) on 7/23/05 to Kira Capetillo.  The Admiralty would like to extend its most sincere congratulations to the couple.  Fair winds and safe sailing Captain!

    -IDF is proud to announce the creation of Elite Force Sabre, and to command this new Elite Force we are honored to promote Captain Marius Pontmercy of the USS George W. Bush to Rear Admiral. We would like to wish Rear Admiral Pontmercy the best. With the creation of this EF, we have also reorganized the ships in IDF, so please visit the IDF website to see these changes.

     -IDF is also proud to announce the promotion of Cmdr. Savai N'gellin, long time member of IDF to Captain. Cmdr N'gellin will be assuming command of the USS Patriot, where he has previously been serving as XO. It should also be noted that under his acting powers, Capt. N'gellin has already seen 350 posts as of the time of this printing, for THIS MONTH. Congratulations Captain

     -IDF is proud to welcome Starbase DS 24, commanded by Captain Mnheia t'Llaiir to Independence Fleet's Elite Force Sabre

   -IDF is also proud to announce the launch of the USS Paradox, under the command of Captain Robert Shaw (Former Captain of the USS Avalon) , who is becoming a member of EF Andromeda! Good luck Captain Shaw, and nice to have you back!

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    -Independence Fleet Command has created a new IDF Forum, which can be visited by Clicking Here. In this forum you will find a wide variety of subjects, including a place for each ship to discuss things, a place for you to contact your EF, your GED, or DFPR, report technical malfunctions, request help, etc. Please register and begin discussing today!

      -IDF is also proud to announce the launch of the USS Chesapeake C. This ship is commanded by Captain Rocco Voronov, former CO of the USS Goliad, who merged with the USS Lacuna earlier this month to create the Chesapeake! We wish you and your crew fair sailing Captain!

     - IDF is also revamping almost all of the IDF Ship's website, so make sure to keep your eyes out for these changes as announcements are made!

- - Milestones- -

-The Avalon made its 500th post on 7/15 by Captain Carroll.

-The George W Bush had its 2300th post by Ensign Delavorious Maximus.

-The Excalibur made its 5100th post on 7/16 by Lt (jg) Irany.

-The USS Patriot made its 2700th post on 7/27 by Commander N'gellin.

-The USS Patriot made its 2600th post on 7/14 by Commander N'gellin.

- The USS Phoenix made its 250th post by Lt Cmdr David McMillian.

-Starbase D'Shubba made its 150th post by Lt (jg) Damien de Sade.

=/\= Promotions =/\=

-GWB: Lt Karen Kendal MD promoted to Commander and assumes the position of Executive Officer.  Lt (jg) Sol Janus promoted to Lieutenant.

-Excalibur: Dr Sage promoted to Lt Commander Dr Sage.  Lt (jg) Irany promoted to Lieutenant Irany.

-Sunfire: Lt Rain Lexington to Lt Commander.  Lt (jg) Timion to Lieutenant.  P/O3C Bledsoe to P/O1C. 

-Dread: Lt Tyler promoted to Lieutenant Commander.  Lt (jg) S'ten promoted to Lieutenant.

-Phoenix: Lt Commander David McMillian assumes the position of AXO.  Lt Commander T'Jen McMillian assumes the position of Chief Science Officer. 

-DShubba: Ensigns Saleia and Tetsujin

=/\= Retirements =/\=

-Sunfire: Lt Commander Joseph Locke, Ambassador Sylk

=/\= Message from the DFPR =/\= Admiral Jeremiah A. Griffith

     This month has brought many changes in the Star Trek world. This month brought the passing of beloved actor James Doohan. Jimmy was a larger than life man, he said "Scotty is 99% me, and 1 percent accent" while long time friend George Takei said "Scotty was 100% Jimmy's talent and love of life." Jimmy was a man of many talents, but his greatest talent was his love of people, and all that knew him knew he was "...an exuberant people person." Jimmy never lived life in moderation, he loved his friends, his family, and his fans, and continued to embrace his fans well into his 80's.

Jimmy was a legend in his own time, his role on Star Trek: The Original Series, caught the eye of so many fans. What was just a two bit chance of a role, became a life long adventure, and his legacy. Jimmy said that while the words "Beam me up Scotty" where never used on the series, it was thrilling to have them said to him he said they had probably been said to him a thousand times, even yelled to him across four lanes of traffic in downtown Los Angeles. Jimmy was part of something that became much more than anyone ever expected, and through that he touched the lives of so many. Jimmy will be sorely missed, but dearly remembered by all Star Trek Fans around the globe.

Heres to you Jimmy!

=/\=A Tribute to James Doohan=/\=

       This month we are saddened to announce the death of James Montgomery Doohan, known in the Trek world as Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott.  Jimmy, as he was fondly called by his friends, was born 3 March 1920 in Vancouver, BC, Canada.  His parents had recently immigrated to Canada from Ireland.  Jimmy survived a rough upbringing by an alcoholic father and joined the Canadian Forces at age 19.  Jimmy led a platoon of soldiers ashore on D-Day, 6 June 1944.  It was during this assault that he suffered several gunshot wounds which claimed his right middle finger and came within inches of taking his life.  After the war he trained at the famous Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC, alongside such stars as Leslie Nielson and Jackie Gleason.  Jimmy had the opportunity to work on over 4400 radio and television shows before ever joining the cast of Star Trek.  It was Jimmy's own versatility which helped develop the character of Scotty; when auditioning for the part, Gene Roddenberry asked him what he thought would be appropriate for the character, and Jimmy told Gene Roddenberry, "If you want a good engineer, he'd better be a Scotsman!"  Jimmy's talents also extended beyond acting to voicework.  He provided the majority of guest voices on the short-lived Star Trek: The Animated Series.  Jimmy Doohan was the proud father of seven children, the youngest of which was born in 2000 when Jimmy was 80 years old.  He was an inspiration to many.   In his later years, Jimmy was plagued by diabetes, Parkinson's disease, lung fibroses, and was in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.  Yet he still overcame these debilitating illnesses to make an appearance at his Hollywood Walk of Fame Award Ceremony and the Doohan Tribute Convention in August of 2004.  Jimmy passed away on the morning of 20 July 2005 with his wife Wende by his side. Jimmy's ashes, according to his wife Wende, will follow the same trail of friend and Star Trek Creator- Gene Roddenberry, they will be launched via private service into space, where Jimmy will finally rest with the stars.

Jimmy was by all accounts, co-workers, friends, fans, and family, a kind and gentle man, with a warm loving heart. Long time friend George Takei said this, in his tribute to Jimmy "When all of us who loved you look up at the vastness of the twinkling night sky, we'll know that you are truly there among the stars, beaming down on us from the heavens with that wonderful, sparkling smile of yours."

Jimmy had no college education, however The Milwaukee School of Engineering awarded Jimmy an honorary doctorate after more than half of their students cited Scotty as the reason they chose their field.

Jimmy will be forever remembered by all of here at Independence Fleet.

--IDF Admiralty

In loving memory of:

James Montgomery  Doohan

--1920-2005--