=/\= Opening =/\=

     Welcome to another exciting issue of the Independence Fleet Newsletter, you will notice a lot of BIG changes in this month's newsletter, including the new format and the fact that the newsletter is no longer emailed to your inbox. Instead we have chosen to simply email you the link to the newsletter when it is ready, this saves a lot of room in your inbox, and is easy for those of you to read that do not have internet access! This issue is filled with a lot of new information and pertinent details! So pay attention and enjoy!

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

--Fleet Get Together--

     The Fleet Get Together is open to all past and present members of IDF and family's. The get together is a very special part of IDF, and we hope that you will feel free to visit. This year's get together is being held in Wichita Kansas, USA at the home of Admiral Jeremiah A. Griffith. Starting on the 8th of July to the 11th of July, you do not need to come for the entire time if you want, but we would love to have you if you can make it! The get together is sure to include a number of fun filled events and opportunities to meet face to face all of your friends here in IDF.  If you are interested in the get together or information on lodging, directions or otherwise feel free to contact Admiral Jeremiah A. Griffith

--Fleet Academy/USS Hikaru--

     That's right, long talked about and planned, the fleet is finally creating a Fleet Academy in the form of an academy cruise ship called the USS Hikaru. The Academy is planned to open right after the Fleet Wide get together, and will be the base for all fleet training, not just limited to new recruits but as a place for anyone in the fleet to obtain additional training to help make you the best you can be!  If you are interested in becoming an Academy Instructor or just in finding out some info on taking some of the courses that will be offered, feel free to contact Admiral Jeremiah A Griffith

--Admiral West's Return--

     That's right, Admiral James D. West has returned to active duty, after completing the TN Police Academy training to become a Law Enforcement Officer. Admiral West is happy to be returning to all of his friends and colleagues here in IDF, and looks forward to meeting those of you that have joined since his departure. If you would like to contact Admiral West he can be reached at Insidr524@aol.com or via IM at Insidr524 on AOL

--USS Daedalus--

Per the request of the CO and crew, the USS Daedalus will be changing into a newly launched simm, the USS Independence an NX-05 class vessel. We wish Captain Grey and the crew all of our best as they embark on this new adventure!

- - Milestones- -

-USS Sunfire C reached its 700th post on May 29th, 2005- The post was sent in by Cmdr George Ruiken. We send our  Congratulations!

-USS Avalon-C reached its 400th post on April 30th of 2005. The post was submitted by Cmdr Denoue- We extend our Congratulations!

-SB Dshubba reached its 100th post on May 3rd of 2005. The post was sent in by Cmdr Kona Quinn

=/\= Promotions =/\=

-Lt Cmdr George Ruiken is promoted to Commander and charged with the position of Executive Officer on the USS Sunfire.

-Christopher Curran is promoted to Captain and assumes command of the SB Dshubba. We wish him all of the best!

=/\= Retirements =/\=

-Cmdr Joseph Locke of the USS Sunfire (XO) retired effective May 1st of 2005. His retirement was attributed to real life time constraints. We wish him all of the best in his future endeavors and look forward to his return if/when he is able!

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

     Welcome to another issue of the IDF  Newsletter! Each new month brings  new  things and happenings within our  fleet. It is the pleasure of this Admiralty  to serve you the men and women in  IDF.  However, to do this  Communication is KEY. The key to  success of both your simm and this fleet  is proper communication. Make sure  that you communicate with your CO  and  XO on a daily basis, and do not  hesitate to communicate with your  Division Director or myself. You do not  have to necessarily talk about things  relating to simming, but just make sure  to keep the lines of communication  open  at all times. If your CO and XO  know you and you know them, the simm  will be far more successful. Be sure to  let  your CO and or XO know if there is  something going on in your life, most of  the times they are great confidants and  advisors, not to mention that if you  need  time off your CO will always  oblige so long as he/she knows what is  going on! 

         Remember, IDF is a game, but  underneath that we are a large family  of  friends that share the same interest.  When in need friends help other friends.  Which leads me to my second point, as  a  family we would love to get together,  which is precisely why we have our  annual fleet get together. So, remember  if you CAN, please don't hesitate to stop  by and visit us! Remember that the get  together this year is going to be in  Wichita Kansas at my home from  around the 8th to the 11th of July, and  during that time we will be doing a ton  of stuff, hanging out together, getting  to  know each other and having a  genuine good time!

     Again I truly thank all of you for  dedication to IDF, and your on going  support. It is individuals like you that  make this fleet the best on the net! And  remember that I am almost always  available if you would like to chat-   IDFAdmGriffith (AIM) Jeremy_griffith  (YIM) and jeremiah.griffith@gmail.com   (MSN)

R/S,

Admiral Jeremiah A. Griffith              Dir. of Fleet Personnel and Relations

=/\= Message from the DD's =/\=

--Elite Force Excelsior--

Hello everybody in the wonderful EFE!!! I  think ya'll are just doing wonderful. I am so  proud of everybody and you all should  know how much i love each and every  member of Elite Force Excelsior. We may  not have the most posts in our division  BUT we are all each and everyone  dedicated simmers at heart and we can  kick butt. I love you all and good job.

Sincerely,

Rear Admiral Suzanne Karmin                 Elite Force Excelsior Director

--Elite Force Omega--

Hello, this is R Adm. Jenny Loerzel and I  am here to warn you of the dangers of  trying to do something that you don't  know  how to do. In the beginning of  March, I  tried to ice skate.  The first few  times were  good, I didn't fall over or  anything.  Then,  Friday came.  I did one  lap of the rink,  and  fell and fractured my  wrist. In and of  itself,  that isn't too bad.  It  was a real  minor  fracture.  But, I am in  college  studying  engineering.  Not being  able to  properly  write puts a damper on  your  studies. So,  time goes by, and I get  the  cast off.   HOORAY!  Two days  later,  my  wrist  pops, and I can't move  my thumb  anymore.  It turns out that I  ruptured my   EPL tendon closing a tube  of  toothpaste   How humiliating is that.  A  couple days  after that, I went in for  surgery on the  tendon.  It seems to be  healing up quite  nicely here, at 6 weeks  out from the  surgery.  I'm still going to   therapy to be  able to move my thumb and  wrist properly. The point of this is to tell  everyone in the  fleet why I disappeared  randomly while I  was guest simming on  the  Lacuna, and to  apologize for it.  I   finally have my typing  speed back, so  with  any  luck I am back in  the game  now.
 

R. Admiral Jenny Loerzel