THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE USS COLUMBIA, A CORRESPONDENCE CHAPTER OF STARFLEET THE INTERNATIONAL FAN CLUB

July 2013 usscolumbia.net

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Columbia Commlink Editor – Kristy LaFata

USS Columbia is a chapter of STARFLEET: TheInternational Star Trek Fan Association, Inc,which is a 501(c)(7) non-profit organization.

Star Trek®, in all its various forms and relatedmarks, are trademarks of CBS Studios, Inc. Thissite and chapter are not affiliated or endorsedin anyway by CBS Studios, Inc or ParamountPictures Corporation. Please see the terms andconditions for further details.

Notice to copyright holders: no violation isintended, please contact the webmaster withany concerns.

* - Denotes member of Marine Detachment

Section Chiefs are in bold.

Ship’s Roster

OICMarine MarineMarineMarine

Marine CPT Aaron ArdenMAJ Paul McPhersonMarine CPT Tonya Nelson1st LT Phillip CoxCadet SSG Caleb Nelson

Marine Detachment

Chief of Security Internal Security Officer Ordinance Officer

LT CDR Brent GriffisLT Bob Hosford*LT Nick Elder

Security Department

Chief Science Officer AstronomerScience OfficerScience OfficerScience Specialist

CDR Julie TaucherLT CDR Kristy LaFataEnsign Victoria HeeterEnsign Howard WeaverC4 Maya Weaver

Science Department

Chief Engineer Assistant Chief Engineer Engineer

CDR Kevin TurnerLT JG Vincent CurrentCA William Fugate

Engineering Department

Chief of OperationsChief Tactical Officer Operations Officer Communications Officer

CDR Jimmy Nelson*CDR Kevin Johnson*LT Judy WilsonLT JG Michael Jones

Operations Department

Chief Medical OfficerMedical Doctor Medical Doctor

LT CDR Fran Brock*LT Dale WilsonLT Bill Lemmond

Medical Department

CO Commanding OfficerXO Executive Officer Intelligence Specialist Administrative Assistant

VADM Jason Schreck*COL Jeremy DeSpainLT JG George HildebidleCR Chelsie Salyers

Command DepartmentCDR Bob McDonaldLT Jon LacerCR Scott BrownCA Lisa JohnsonCR Brian BakerCR Gene TaylorCR Lisa TaylorCR Raistlin TaylorCR Jonathan WallaceCR Cheryl GrimmCR Mark GrimmCR Emily GrimmC3 Daniel Johnson*C3 Rebecca Johnson*

ChaplainChefChief Archivist

Spec Services Department

usscolumbia.net July 20133

Civilian MemberCRR Eric Holloway

N E W M E M B E R S

LT Jon Lacer

P R O M O T I O N SIn recognition of services rendered to the USS Columbia and STARFLEET

International, and reflecting the highest standards of service and commitment, the

following officers and crew of the USS Columbia are hereby promoted:

Crewman Apprentice Lisa Johnson

Ensign Howard Weaver Crewman Apprentice William Fugate

Cadet 3 Daniel Johnson

Cadet 3 Rebecca Johnson

NNOUNCEMENTSSH IP

A W A R D S

Unit Distinguished Service Award

Vessel Readiness Certification Program

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 4

CDR Bob McDonald – Chaplain CR Scott Brown – Chief Archivist

A P P O I N T M E N T S

C4 Maya Weaver – Science Specialist

LT Jon Lacer – Chef

Ensign Howard Weaver – Science Officer

VADM Jason Schreck – RDC of Engineering for Region 1

LCDR Fran Brock – Chief of Recognition Services, STARFLEET Academy

LCDR Fran Brock – Director, College of Animal Knowledge

S T A R F L E E T A P P O I N T M E N T S

@Commander’s Letter

Well here it is again, time for another newsletter. It has been a busy few months - the new Star

Trek Into Darkness premier, losing my job, taking on another position in STARFLEET, and just

keeping the ship running smoothly. To be honest I don't have a lot to report on this month. I will say

this, I saw the new Star trek movie and really enjoyed it. Hopefully we will receive some new

members from it as well. STARFLEET already seems to be having an influx of new members from

what I can see in my position as Orientation Director.

On to some STARFLEET business. The biggest thing is STARFLEET election season is coming up.

This year we will be holding elections for the Commander of STARFLEET and his Executive

Committee. This is your chance to have a say in the way STARFLEET will run for the next three

years. I encourage everyone to vote in the election. Information will be sent out to all members via

the Communique that will cover the candidates election platforms. Please read the information

and cast your vote accordingly.

By the way, if you would like to run for Commander of STARFLEET now is the time to make it

known as nominations will be taken soon. I doubt anyone in the crew is considering it, but let me

make this clear if you ever were to consider it, the Commander of STARFLEET is not a fictional

position. He or she is responsible for the smooth operation of a world wide non-profit

organization, and though he or she delegates much of the work to others, the ultimate

responsibility falls on that person. It is not a position to be taken lightly and I admire anyone

willing to take it on, but even after nearly 15 years in STARFLEET, it is not a position I would ever

aspire to.

And now to our own election. As some of you know this year is an election year for the

Columbia. The election is for Commanding Officer. I stated once before that I was not sure

whether I would run again this year. As of right now I'm likely going to keep my name in the

running for a third term. However, if there is another eligible member who would like to run, I

welcome it. Please do not feel that if you run for CO I will take offense or feel that you think I'm

doing a bad job. The eligible members will be announced on August 31st. Candidates wishing to

withdrawal their name from the running can do so at that time and nominations will be made by

the crew from the remaining candidates in September. Campaign platforms must be mailed to the

crew at large by October 15th. The voting will take place by secret ballot on an online polling

sight from November 1st – 15th. With the winner announced thereafter. If there is no member

receiving 51% or more of the total votes cast then a run off will happen between the top two

candidates. If only one person is nominated whether it be myself or someone else then a vote of

confidence will occur within the same timeline. The new CO will take command officially January

1st, 2014. All ships records will be turned over to the new CO before that date.

I will also say this, if someone else is elected I offer my services in whatever way they will have

me. I will be here for advice and help whenever I can. I would not leave a new CO to figure it all

….

Columbia crew,

usscolumbia.net July 20135

Vice Admiral Jason SchreckCO USS Columbia NCC-2049

Jason Schreck

out on their own. I will also say if you just want to be CO to earn the rank of Captain, there are

much easier ways to do it. Only take on this responsibility if you feel you can do the job.

The following information on CO requirements is straight from the Columbia constitution and

bylaws:

As defined by the STARFLEET Constitution, the ship's Commanding Officer (CO), also known as

the Chapter Chairperson, is the leader of the Starship. The CO is the focal point of all local

STARFLEET activities and should maintain an image that personifies the philosophy of STARFLEET

and Columbia. The CO is the chapter's highest placed member and acts as the Chief of Staff. In

general, the CO will represent Columbia to STARFLEET Command and is legally responsible for

the chapter's activities. The CO shall be responsible for the general administration of the chapter.

The CO functions as a coordinator and is expected to delegate specific activities to various

members of the senior staff and crew. The CO is expected to insure that the various assignments

are completed correctly and in a timely manner to keep the ship "running smoothly."

As the leader of the chapter, the CO will organize Columbia activities, and at the same time

will respect the member's rights to participate or not participate. The member may look to the CO

and expect proper knowledge of STARFLEET rules, regulations and procedures. The CO has the

authority to grant transfers, promotions in rank up to the level of Commander and citations of

merit.

The CO may designate chapter officers such as Vice Chairperson (XO), Secretary-Treasurer,

etc.. The CO will head the ship's Command Staff and will act as chairperson of the ship's

governing body. The chapter president does not vote, except in the case of a tie. The CO is

empowered to make decisions for the chapter on all matters, routine and important. However,

decisions of major significance, or any major expenses must be reported to the Command Staff.

The CO shall report any situation and the decision to the Command Staff as soon as possible.

The Commanding Officer will have the power to VETO any and all issues that are brought to a

VOTE in any general vote and all COMMITTEES.

The CO is responsible for reporting monthly to the Regional Coordinator. This report may be

as short as a paragraph or as long as a few pages, but should be typed or neatly written. The

report must be completed by the first of each month, and should contain information concerning

chapter activities, problems, questions, or suggestions. Any Chapter CO who misses two consecutive

reports or three reports within twelve calendar months will be relieved of duty by STARFLEET. Two

late reports will count as one failure to report. Copies of the monthly report must be filed with the

Region One Coordinator and STARFLEET Chief of Operations.

Requirements:

{ Active Member in good standing on Columbia for 1 year or more.

{ Minimum 21 years of age.

{ Successful completion of Officer's Training School and Officer Command College.

{ Very Active Membership in STARFLEET.

{ Very mature, very patient, good organizational and leadership skills.

That's it for this quarter.

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 6

by LTJG Mike Jones

am writing this article under the assumptionthat the reader has seen Star Trek IntoDarkness (STID). So if you haven’t seen the

film STOP READING NOW because I’m going togive away secrets and plot points (that if you’veavoided thus far I congratulate you).

```` SPOILERS ````

I saw the Fan Sneak Peak showing onWednesday, May 15th at 8pm. The theater wasfull of geeky theatre goers! Several of us were inuniform and a number of folks had fun Trek orcomic book inspired T-shirts on. In the 20minutes before the movie started, the housewas glowing with iPads, smart phones, andother electronic devices. One person was evenwatching the 2009 movie on their iPad- theperfect preview. These were definitely “mypeople,” and they were a great group with whichto experience the movie.

I

There were cheers,laughs, and even somegroans during the flick.We cheered when LeonardNimoy appeared on screen— just like we did back in2009. I’m pretty sure atear came to my eye. Welaughed when Spock yelled“KAAAAAHN!!!”—eventhough it’s not really acomedic moment. Longstory short, I walked out ofthat theatre on cloud 9. Itwas a thrill ride of a movieand it got my adrenalinpumping.

I think the movie issmart. It takes familiarmaterial (Star Trek II TheWrath of Kahn) as a sourceto create a new adventurethat pays tribute to the oldwhile venturing farther……..into the Abramsverse. I think Cumberbatch’s

Kahn was perfect. His voice make my skin crawl,I hated him and was in awe of him at the sametime. Although, one could argue that the realvillain of the film is Peter Weller’s AdmiralMarcus -- part of a long standing tradition ofcrazy Starfleet Admirals that must be stopped.

However, the star of the film is, unarguably,Chris Pines’ Captain James T. Kirk. In the 2009film we see him get the Enterprise. In this filmwe see him earn it as he matures from the snotnosed kid picking a fight to a real leader worthyof sitting in the center seat.

While basking in the afterglow of the seeingthe movie, I eagerly checked the web to seehow it was doing at the box office on openingweekend. It had already been very successfulabroad. The studio projected that the moviewould break 100 million in its first weekend, butit actually only made 84 million (includingWednesday and Thursday). Fast forward a bit,the film crossed the 200 million mark in its 4th

……..

usscolumbia.net July 20137

weekend and slipped to #6 at the box office.From the studio’s perspective this is a solidopening and the film is doing fine, but it’s not offthe charts.

Critics gave mixed reviews. Some really likedthe film:

“It’s a knockout. Trekkers won’t be alone incheering.” - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

“Into Darkness is a sleek, thrilling epic that’salso a triumphantly witty popcorn morality play.It’s everything you could want in a Star Trekmovie.” Owen Gleiberman, EW

"Spectacular special effects, superbly craftedaction sequences, plenty of humor and terrificperformances render it a cut above mostsummer blockbusters.” - 3.5 stars. ClaudiaPuig, USAToday

Others were less kind:“It’s also an excessively derivative what-if

rehash of themes and interactions that camebefore, most of the characters lesser copies andeven caricatures of the originals. The scenario’sbeen hijacked and rejiggered from better “Trek”plots of decades ago, the best verbal exchangeslifted nearly verbatim from past adventures.” -2/5 stars. - David Germain, Huffington Post

LTJG Mike Jones gives his best Vulcan salute before watching Into Darkness.

“With its emphasis on its hero’s adolescentanger, the movie turns this venerable science-fiction series — one that prided itself onaddressing complex issues in a nuanced andmature fashion — into its own kids’ version: StarTrek Tiny Toons. At times, the viewer is almostprodded to mutter, ‘Grow up!’” - RichardCorliss, Time

But what do the fans really think? One onlyneed turn to the internet to find out that everyopinion one could possibly have about the filmhas already been voiced in forums and commentthreads on the various Trek webpages. Somefans loved the movie - including Chris Pine fans(self proclaimed “Pine Nuts”) who are ready toreplace William Shatner as the one and only Kirkin their hearts. Others are more critical of themovie saying that it felt rushed, that it focusedtoo much on action, and that the heart of theStar Trek mythos isn’t missing. Other fans hatedthe film so much that they go out of their way todisown it as “not Star Trek.” Personally, I’msympathetic to their cries.

When Kristy asked me to write a follow uparticle to my STID article, I happily accepted,but I soon started to regret it. The more Ithought about the movie, and the more notes Iwrote down in preparation to write this piece,the more unhappy I became about the currentstate of Trek. That isn’t to say that I hated themovie, but STID isn’t “my Star Trek,” and I’mnostalgic for the days when TNG, DS9 & Voyagerwere in production.

These new movies are action films first andforemost – something that Roddenberry neverreally intended. I feel that Star Trek works beston Television where we can grow to lovecharacters gradually. And where the writershave the time to tackle real social issues within asci-fi format making the audiences think andquestion things. That being said, I liked themovie. I went in looking for a popcorn & sodafueled movie thrill ride and I got just that.

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 8

Nick Elder poses to

promote the chapter.

Bob McDonald, center, Brian Baker,

right, and Jon Lacer, far right, show

off their version of the signature

J.J. Abrams ‘Lens Flare!’

GOING INTO DARKNESSColumbia Crew Members go tothe movies.

Kevin Turner recruits new members.

usscolumbia.net July 20139

Chief Science Officer’s Report

CDR Julie Taucher

Greetings from the Science Department!

Things have been rather exciting lately withthe release of the new Star Trek movie. I havewanted to voice some of my thoughts aboutStar Trek Into Darkness for a while, and thisseems like a good outlet for it. Touching onthings I liked and things I thought could havebeen different. I will try to keep it as spoilerfree as possible, as I am not sure whethereveryone has seen it yet.

First things first, I’m going to get it outthere now that I still like Star Trek 2009 better.From what I’ve seen this film seems togenerate strong feelings either one way or theother and I’ve seen valid points about it raisedon both sides. That being said, I did thoroughlyenjoy Star Trek Into Darkness (STID), whichactually has grown on me the more times I’veseen it. STID has so much to take in upon firstviewing that I needed to see it more than oncein order to catch all that goes on. It moves at afast pace, which required me to pay moreattention to all that was being said.

While ST 09 could be seen as a Spock story,STID is very much a Kirk story, and deals a lotwith him maturing and really learning what itmeans to be a captain who’s responsible for somany people.

I thought the acting from the cast was verywell done, especially the range of emotioncoming from Chris Pine, and dare I say it,Zachary Quinto. Simon Pegg as Scotty also hasmore to do than basically being the comicrelief he was in the first film. BenedictCumberbatch did a great job as the villain, JohnHarrison. Karl Urban, again, is a flawless Dr.McCoy and it’s too bad they didn’t utilize him

more. However, it appears to me that Boneshad more to do this time than he did in ST 09,where whole sections of the movie went bywithout any trace of him.

The soundtrack was amazing and I think Ilike it better than the score for ST 09. MichaelGiacchino was wonderful at taking elementsfrom ST 09 and building on them, while alsoadding new elements to it.

As everyone was saying in the monthsleading up to release, the scope of this film ismuch bigger, and a lot more is seen in terms oflocations and costumes.

STID presents an emotional story that, tome, was more violent than the last, but it isnot without its humor. Spock, McCoy, Kirk. andScotty all had lines that were getting laughs. Attimes, however, it walks a line betweenhomage and what may come across as lazywriting. I believe I see what the writers weretrying to do, however, I can’t say I wasbothered too much by it.

By the end of the movie I did havequestions about it, as it wraps up so quickly, itleaves some things unsaid. There are plot holesand logic problems, as there are with anymovie. Some things may be there just as a fanservice, but again, it wasn’t so severe that itgreatly affected my enjoyment of the film.

Overall I’m pleased with what I saw, and Iknow the people I’ve seen it with have enjoyedit too.

I’m glad for all those that enjoyed it andI’m hoping those that didn’t will give it anothershot, as I know people who hated it at first, butwarmed up to it after giving it another go.

CDR Julie’s STID Review

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 10

PhasersPhasers are a Federation vessel's primary

defense weapon, gathered in a series of high-powered arrays at key locations on the hull.Starship phasers have range of 300,000kilometers and are capable of a 5.1 megawattburst.

By the late 24th century phasers were onlyeffective at sublight speeds for close-rangeattacks. Control of the integrated phaser systemis coordinated from the tactical/security stationon the main bridge. The phaser's power output,dispersion beam width, and length of burst can….

Chief of Operations Report

CDR Jimmy NelsonSpecial Report: Starship Weapons Systems

NX-74205. The new crystals, combined withrapid-discharge EPS capacitance banks and high-speed focusing coils, allowed the phaserdischarge to be stored temporarily (up to 2.3nanoseconds) within the coils and then releasedas a layered pulse. Pulse phaser cannons havebegun to be installed on newer starships asprimary weapons along with phaser arrays.

Photon TorpedoesPhoton torpedoes are powerful weapons

containing matter and antimatter separated by aforce field which collapses on impact.Torpedoes, unlike phasers, can be fired while at

warp speeds and use a warp sustainerengine to maintain speed.

Starships usually carry type-6photon torpedoes. Their

…………….explosive potential can be modifiedby varying the amount of antimatter toincrease or decrease the yield, measured in

isotones.Typically set at a yield of 18.5 isotones, the

weapons' destructive potential can bemaximized by firing them in a pre-set spreadpattern, providing a cumulative detonationtoward a target. In case of damage to thelaunchers, they can be manually launched fromthe torpedo bay, although personnel are at riskfrom potential burns. The torpedoes are highlyadaptable. Their warheads can be modified tofire on specific targets with a range of up to3,500,000 kilometers.Read more about Photon Torpedoes

The quantum torpedo is the first Starfleetfollow-on weapon to replace the standardphoton torpedo first developed in 2268. Existingand future threat force conflicts drove the……..…..

be adjusted. On occasions where the……..automatic controls are disrupted or…….damaged, it is possible to target and fire,…although this is less precise.

Some shield configurations can deflect aphaser beam; an interferometric pulse, forexample, can reflect the directed energy awayfrom the target, rendering phasers ineffective.Under normal conditions, however, phasers area formidable and adaptable defense. Forexample, the harmonics of the beam can beadjusted to cut through solid rock when neededfor rescue missions.

Pulse Phaser CannonsStarship phaser arrays had changed relatively

little in more than a century, until recently. Pulsephaser cannons, developed at a STARFLEET R&Dfacility in Tokyo, Japan, using large, nearlyflawless emitter crystals artificially grown inmicrogravity chambers.

Phaser arrays use a disposable cylindricalpower cell about a meter in length. They weredesigned as part of the Borg defensive and firstinstalled on the prototype starship USS Defiant…

usscolumbia.net July 201311

development of a new defensive standoffweapon that could be deployed on speciallyequipped starships, starbases, and planetary-surface fortifications.

The quantum torpedo consists of a pressure-molded shell of densified tritanium andduranium foam, trapezoidal in cross section andtapered at the forward end for atmosphericapplications. A 7-millimeter layer of plasma-bonded terminium ceramic forms and ablativearmor skin for the foam hull, over which isbonded a .12-millimeter coating of silicon-copper-yttrium rigid polymer as an antiradiationcoating. The chamber measures .76 meters indiameter by 1.38 meters in length, and 2.3centimeters in average thickness. The zero-pointinitiator is powered by the detonation of anuprated photon torpedo warhead with a yield of21.8 isotones.

Deflector ShieldsShields are an energy field that encompass

the entire vessel during hazardous situations.The shields are generated through the grid thatcovers the upper port and starboard sides of aship's engineering hull. It consists of a projectedenergy barrier whose frequency can bemodulated or rotated to maximize itseffectiveness against attack.

Starfleet shield design is extremely flexible….

and can be modified by alien technologies totemporarily strengthen or change the nature ofshield harmonics. It can also be extended toprotect another starship within the shieldbubble.

In their normal operating state, shields arehighly susceptible to any chroniton-basedweapons. They cannot halt the advance of achroniton torpedo, because it is in a state oftemporal flux. Although, if the exact temporalvariance of a weapon is known, the shields canbe adapted to produce highly effective temporalShielding.

Ablative Hull ArmorAblative armor is a protective skin that is a

top secret technology. It was in developmentduring the Borg defensive weapons projectalong with pulse phaser cannons and quantumtorpedoes.

Ablative armor provided an extra layer ofdefense for the vessel against enemy fire if theshields failed. It worked by forming a protectivelayer over the hull surface that helped disperselarge amounts of incoming phaser blasts.

Ablative armor was classified; STARFLEETOperations were unaware that the Defiant hadbeen equipped with it until 2372. By 2374, otherprototype starships such as the USS PrometheusNX-74913 had ablative armor installed.

The first depicted use of shields by a starship was in the Star Trek episode "Arena," in

which the USS Enterprise raises its shields after being attacked by an alien warship.

The term 'shields' first appears in the Star Trek episode "Balance of Terror", in which

they were deployed, albeit to little effect, by a Federation outpost under attack from a

Romulan Warbird.

Click here to read more.

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 12

Check out

STARFLEET

Academy!

promotion, when you become eligible.

One other award that you are eligible for is

the Boothby Award, which is presented by

Starfleet Academy every time you complete 50

courses. You will receive a certificate of

completion from the Director of the School from

which you’ve taken the courses.

There are also plenty of Cadet only courses

available for our eligible younger crewmembers

through both Academies.

STARFLEET has a database that keeps track

of everything you do and all of the courses and

awards you earn as an active member. The

website is also listed below. All you need is your

SCC Number (membership number) to type in

and your file will be brought up.

The following are links to both STARFLEET

and the STARFLEET Marine Corp Academies.

Between the two Academies, there are well over

4,000 different courses to take with new courses

being developed all the time.

Please take the time to explore each of

these web sites and see what a wealth of

information – and fun, can be available to you,

as well as helping you gain your next promotion.

STARFLEET Academy

STARFLEET Marine Corps Academy

STARFLEET Database

Should you need further information or help

with how to use the system, making choices, or

accessing your records, please let me know.

I’m always available to help,

WOULD YOU LIKE A PAINLESS, AND FUN, WAY TO EARN YOUR NEXT PROMOTION?

ave you looked at the course lists lately from

either Starfleet Academy, or the Starfleet

Marine Corps Academy?

As a Columbia crewmember, you can earn

from 25 to 100 points per year towards your

promotion, just by taking and passing courses of

your choice from either Academy.

The point’s breakdown are, for most of the

Academy courses and many of the Marine Corps

Academy courses, as follows:

` 1 point for receiving a “Pass” grade on

each course you take.

` 2 points for receiving an “Honors” grade on

each course you take.

` 3 points for receiving a “Distinction” grade

on each course you take.

` If you “beta test” a course that is in

development for one of the Directors of a

College, you will receive 3 points because

of the extra work that is required for beta

testing a course.

For ranks up through Commander (or Major,

if you are a Marine), a total of 25 Academy

points can be used toward the points you need

for a promotion.

For Captain (Lt. Colonel) and above, a total

of up to 100 points can be used toward

promotion points.

If the course you choose to take only awards

a Pass or Fail grade, then it will be at the

discretion of our Commanding Officer what

points are to be awarded.

Any points through courses you earn over

what may be used toward a promotion, will be

banked and applied toward your next

…………

H

LCDR Frances B. Brock

Chief Medical Officer, USS Columbia, NCC-2049

Chief of Recognition Services, STAFLEET Academy

Fbrock26@gmail.com

usscolumbia.net July 201313

Just like it sounds, your screen

becomes a digital replica of a

Star Trek: Original Series flip-

open communicator. When the

phone is “flipped” or with the

swipe of a finger, the flip-top

antenna appears to raise,

revealing the controls.

This app also give you access

to your contacts so you can

call them or use the paging

function to role-play with your

friends.

It also features the voices of

Captain Kirk, Spock, Scotty,

McCoy, Sulu and Uhura. Plus

many Star Trek sound effects,

lights, and motion to replicate

the actual prop.

Star Trek Communicator ($2)

This one is mainly just for

fun. It features full

interactive animation.

Plus it will allow you to

search for other Tricorder

users in your area.

This one is a little more functional.

This app will allow you to

organize and record voice memos,

check your GPS coordinates, and

and store pictures.

Captain's Log ($2)

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 14

Tricorder TR-580 Mark III ($1)

This is a Star Trek Live

Wallpaper app. You can

press all the buttons and

indicators too see the

display change. Also you

can customize up to 30 of

the buttons to open other

apps.

You can also customize how

the wallpaper is displayed

by going to the settings

function. You may have to

set the scrolling control to

Manual to get your display

to scroll over the entire

wallpaper.

I am to understand that if

you are using GS2 or GS3,

you might have to set the

Live wallpaper using a third

party launcher, like “Go

Launcher” to get the screen

to scroll over the entire

wallpaper.

To see this app in action, go

to YouTube.

Also, just for fun, this app gives

the appearance of a type 1

phaser, complete with sound

effects to merely “stun” or

“disintegrate” who or

whatever you choose.

In addition to my regular

report, I was asked if I could

report on some present-time

Star Trek accoutrements for the

cell phone.

I found that there are many

for nearly every type of phone

(but not all, sadly). Everything

ranging from phone cases, to

wallpaper, to apps that turn

your phone into several

different Star Trek devices.

And it is with apps that I will

start.

As a caveat, this is not an

exhaustive list of all the apps

out there, these are just the most

popular.

Nearly all of them are

available for Android based

items, iPhone, iPod, and iPad.

The iPhone apps can be

purchased through iTunes, while

the Android users can get theirs

at Android Market or at

AppBrain.

With this app you can engage in battles

between the Enterprise and hostile aliens.

It is based on Star Trek (2009).

Star Trek Game ($1)

iPhaser Blaster ($1)

by Kevin Turner

LCARS (unsure of price)

Supplemental:Cell Phone Apps

by Jason Schreck

n our last newsletter I wrote an articlediscussing commercial space flight plans forboth NASA and the private industry. In

this issue I'm going to look at NASA's plans fortheir own spacecraft. Specifically the OrionMulti Purpose Crew Vehicle and the SpaceLaunch System.

In 2004, NASA's shuttle fleet was groundedfollowing the accident that led to the loss ofthe space shuttle Columbia. They would returnthe shuttle to flight the following year,however, it was clear the Space Shuttle wasneeding to be replaced. Following two fatalshuttle accidents in 17 years and realizing theshuttle crews had no real escape system in anemergency, as well as the fact that the shuttlehad been flying for 24 years it was time for achange.

The Columbia Investigation board hadrecommended to NASA to pursue areplacement for the shuttle as soon as feasiblypossible. On January 14, 2004, formerPresident George W. Bush went before theAmerican people and challenged NASA to do…. …..

paceos

Rion

Launch Systems

&

I

NASA artists rendering of the Space Launch System set to

launch manned missions in 2021.

usscolumbia.net July 201315

the following: return the Space Shuttle to flight assafely and as soon as possible, to completeconstruction of the International Space Station by2010, and to retire the Space Shuttle and replaceit with a yet to be designed Crew ExplorationVehicle, which would take astronauts back to theMoon, onto Mars, and other destinations. ProjectConstellation was born.

The initial designs called for a CrewExploration Vehicle now known as Orion to be amanned capsule, similar in overall look to theApollo Command module, but with twice thevolume and with the latest technology. TheCapsule was designed to carry a crew of six to lowEarth Orbit, or four to deep space.

The new Orion would be launched on thenewly designed Ares 1 rocket. For lunar missionsor other deep space missions, a larger rocket, theAres V would launch landers or other neededequipment to rendezvous with Orion and then goonto their destination.

Work began on the Orion and the Ares 1programs. They were the first priority since theirfirst planned launch was scheduled for 2015.However, like many manned programs,Constellation fell behind schedule and was overbudget. And on top of this, Congress was notproviding the promised funding. However, workcontinued and several early test versions ofOrion, none intended to fly in space, were builtand began testing.

spacecraft to service the Space Station and letNASA spend its time and energy on a new MultiPurpose Crew Vehicle and a new Space LaunchSystem.

With no real guidance, the MultiPurpose Crew Vehicle was decided to use theOrion design now with only a crew of 4. NASAwas also to no longer to focus on revisitingthe Moon, but to prepare to go to asteroids by2025, and Mars in the 2030's. Work began againon the Orion, allowing the work that had alreadybeen done not to be wasted.

In 2012, NASA announced that the servicemodule for Orion will now be built by theEuropean Space Agency. Orion will fly its firstunmanned test flight to high Earth orbit on aDelta IV Heavy in 2014. Its first manned flight isstill scheduled for 2025.

To give you an idea of the Orion's size Thecapsules diameter at its base will be 16.5 feet, itspressurized volume will be 691 cubic feet. Themass of the capsule is 19,650 pounds.

With the cancellation of the Ares launchVehicles, NASA has begun design work on the….………….

On October 28, 2009 the Ares 1-Xtest flight tested the basic design. Theytested the overall flight characteristicsduring first stage burn. It carried only anOrion weight simulator, but the testwas successful.

With the election of Barrack Obamain 2008, the program was seriously overbudget and behind schedule. It cameunder increasing scrutiny, and in 2010,Constellation was canceled. Obamanow directed NASA to end all work onthe Ares launch vehicles and Orion,and to look into using Commercial………..

NASA artists rendering of the Orion, set to launch manned

missions in 2025.

NASA, continued on page 20

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 16

21st Century Development of Star Trek Technology:

Chief of Engineering Report

CDR Kevin Turner

Communicatorsimply put, a communicator is a devicethat is used by people to communicateover large distances. This idea has comein many guises over the years.

In ancient times, foot runners and riders onhorseback were used to deliver messages fromone place to another. These foot messengers……..would run a vast numbersof miles to deliver theirmessages. In fact, inMexico and SouthAmerica, the runnerswould chew coca leavesto allow them to runnonstop from place to….…place. Also, to this day there are marathons runover historical messenger routes.

The first real postal system was created inancient Persia around 550 BC by King Cyrus theGreat. It used a system of stations where a mailcarrier would ride to the next post, where hewould swap his horse for a fresh one, formaximum delivery speed.

The historian Herodotus described thesystem in this, very familiar, way: “It is said thatas many days as there are in the whole journey,…. ..

so many are the men and horses that along theroad, each horse and man at the interval of aday’s journey; and these are stayed neither bysnow nor rain nor heat nor darkness fromaccomplishing their appointed course with allspeed.”

This method will also be very familiar tothose who know of the early American use of thePony Express prior to the transcontinentalrailroad or the advent of the telegraph.

One of the earliest electromagnetic telegraphdesigns was created by Pavel Schilling in 1832,but it was never developed into a commerciallyusable system.

The first commercial electrical telegraph wasco-developed by Sir William Fothergill Cooke andCharles Wheatstone, and entered use on theGreat Western Railway in Britain. It ran for 13miles (21 km) from Paddington station to WestDrayton. It started operation on 9 July 1839. Itwas patented in the United Kingdom in 1837,and was first successfully demonstrated by Cookeand Wheatstone on 25 July 1837 between Eustonand Camden Town in London.

An electrical telegraph was independentlydeveloped and patented in the United States in…

usscolumbia.net July 201317

1837 by Samuel Morse. His assistant, Alfred Vail,developed the Morse code signaling alphabetwith Morse. The first telegram in the UnitedStates was sent by Morse on 11 January 1838,across two miles (3 km) of wire at SpeedwellIronworks near Morristown, New Jersey. On 24May 1844, he sent the message "WHAT HATHGOD WROUGHT" from the Old Supreme CourtChamber in the Capitol in Washington to the oldMt. Clare Depot in Baltimore. The message wasall capital letters because the original Morsecode alphabet had no question mark or lowercase.

The Morse/Vail telegraph was quicklydeployed in the following two decades. Theoverland telegraph connected the west coast ofthe continent to the east coast by 24 October1861, bringing an end to the Pony Express.

Before long distance telephone services werereadily available or affordable, telegram serviceswere very popular and the only way to conveyinformation speedily over very long distances.Telegrams were often used to confirm businessdealings and were commonly used to createbinding legal documents for business dealings. Inaddition to full-rate telegrams which weretransmitted immediately, most telegraph…………..companies offered reduced-ratetelegrams with delayeddelivery: day letters (delayeddelivery the same day) andnight letters (delivery thefollowing morning).

The telephone was the firstdevice in history that enabledpeople to talk directly to each…..

other across large distances.As with any other great invention, there were

several other inventors working on developingthe telephone, and each improved on eachother’s work. Innocenzo Manzetti, AntonioMeucci, Johann Philipp Reis, Elisha Gray,Alexander Graham Bell, and Thomas Edison,among others, have all been credited withpioneering work on the telephone.

In 1875, Alexander Graham Bell developed an“acoustic telegraph” and filled out a patentapplication for it. Bell also requested that anassociate in Canada try to patent in Great Britain.Bell instructed his lawyers to apply for the patentin America only after they received word fromBritain, since the British patent office would onlygrant patents for inventions not previouslypatented elsewhere.

At nearly the same time, Elisha Gray, whowas also experimenting with acoustic telegraphy,developed a way to transmit speech using awater transmitter.

On February 14, 1876, Gray filed for a patentwith the U.S. Patent Office for a telephonedesign that used the water transmitter. Thatsame morning, Bell's lawyer filed Bell'sapplication with the patent office. There isconsiderable debate about who arrived first andGray later challenged the primacy of Bell'spatent.

Bell’s patent was issued on March 7, 1876.On March 10th, Bell succeeded in getting histelephone to work, using a liquid transmitter…….similar to Gray’s design. When Bell spoke the

famous words “Mr. Watson – come here – Iwant to see you.” Into the liquid transmitter,Watson, listening at the receiving end inanother room, heard the words clearly.

That first patent by Bell was the masterpatent of the telephone, from which otherpatents for electric telephone devices andfeatures flowed.

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 18

The first hand-held mobile/cellular phonewas demonstrated by John F. Mitchell and Dr.Martin Cooper of Motorola in 1973, using ahandset weighing 2.2 pounds (1kg).

The first commercial cell phone was theDynaTAC 8000x, also known as the “the Brick”,introduced in 1983.

A cell phone can make and receive telephonecalls over a radio linkwhile moving arounda wide geographicarea. It does so byconnecting to acellular networkprovided by relaytowers and satellites,allowing access to

the public telephone network.All cell phones have features in common, but

the different manufacturers add a number ofspecialty features like streaming video,megapixel cameras, GPS, etc. to differentiatetheir phones from others and to make themattractive to customers. This push for featureshas had a great influence on cell phonedevelopment in the past twenty years.

A smart phone is simply a cell phone that canperform many specialty features, called “apps”.

From 1990 to 2011, worldwide mobile phonesubscriptions grew from 12.4 million to over 6billion, covering about 87% of the globalpopulation.

A satellite phone is a type of cell phone thatconnects to orbiting satellites rather than relaytowers. They provide similar functions to thoseof regular cell phones, including internet access.Depending on how the satellite system is puttogether, coverage may be the entire Earth orjust specific regions.

Early satellite phone handsets had a size andweight comparable to that of a late-1980s orearly-1990s cell phone, but usually with a large….

retractable antenna. More recent satellitephones are similar in size to a regular cell phonewhile some prototype satellite phones have nodistinguishable difference from an ordinarysmartphone. Satellite phones are popular onexpeditions into remote areas where terrestrialcellular service is unavailable.

For a life–imitates-art moment, Dr. MartinCooper, the designer of the first flip-open cellphone, said that he was inspired by the Star Trek:Original Series flip-open communicator.

In Star Trek: ENT, Star Trek: TOS, and OriginalSeries movies, when the crew was on an awaymission, they would communicate with the shipand each other by use of a hand-heldcommunicator.

The flip-open top section was a transceiverantenna, and the lower portion contained thecontrols, microphone, and speaker.

(This prop was designed by Wah Chang, whoalso built many of the other props for the show.)

The first wearable communicator wasincorporated into the insignia pin and becameknown as a commbadge. Users no longer had tospeak directly into the communicator, but couldactivate it by tapping it with a finger.

The commbadge cameinto general use by 2344.

In Star Trek: TNG and laterseries, crewmembers wore acommbadge on their leftchest. The commbadges werein the shape of the Starfleet….insignia. They also incorporated the universal

translator.In contrast, the communicator has better

communication capabilities than the cell phone.The communicator has a range of 500 miles (800kilometers), whereas the cell phone, only 5 miles(8 kilometers).The communicator can call directly to othercommunicators or an orbiting spacecraft without…

usscolumbia.net July 201319

the use of any equipment; the cell phonerequires relay towers and satellites to connect toanother phone.

The communicator can operate for twoweeks before needing to be charged, but thephone, about 1 – 2 days.

To be fair, the cell phone can do many thingsthat the communicator can’t. Firstly the phonecan take pictures. Also, the cell phone can accessthe internet, play music, stream movies, sendtext messages, and play games. Thecommunicator, of whatever type you choose,can’t. You would need a heavily modifiedtricorder for those.

That does not include all of the aftermarketapplications you can get for your cell phone (seemy supplemental report for some ideas).

In the past few years, there have been somecompanies that have designed items like thecommbadge. The Siemens company and Vocerahave both created wearable badges that takevocal commands. They do fall short of the idea ofa commbadge in that they are only voiceactivated remote controls for your appliances,lights, etc.

Another company has gone a step further.CommBadge.net has developed a Bluetoothcommbadge that allows you to access your smartphone and applications using voice commands.Their ad reads: “The only wearable personalcommunicator for iPhone and Android. Simplyuse your voice to send messages, schedulemeetings, place phone calls, and more. You’llhave full access to Siri and Google Now voicecommand functions seamlessly. All while yourphone is in your pocket or it’s charger.”

Sadly, they are not available for sale yet. Youcan, however, preorder them for delivery in afew months. You can even customize them to anextent.

new Space Launch System. This vehicle willbe able to launch both manned missions andunmanned payloads. The core stage of thevehicle is essentially a modified space shuttleexternal tank, with the after section beingmodified to accommodate its mainpropulsion system. The top of the stage willbe modified to include an inter stage area.The main engines of the SLS will consist ofRS-25D or RS-25E engines in varying numbersof four or five engines, depending onthe particular version being flown at thetime. These are the same engines that werethe main propulsion system on the SpaceShuttle. The core stage will be common toevery version of the SLS.

Strapped to the core stage will be spaceshuttle derived solid rocket boosters. Theinitial Block 0 and Block 1 designs will usefour or five segment space shuttle boosters.Later versions will use an up-rated version ofthese boosters.

For the second stage, various stageconfigurations will be used. Early on, anupgraded Delta IV stage will be used later tobe replaced by a specially designed stage.The first newly designed stage will fly withfour RL-10B2 engines. These engines,originally designed for use on the Saturn 1,were upgraded and are still in use on theDelta and Atlas launch vehicles. The Finalversion of the upper stage will use three ofthe new J-2X engines. An upgraded versionof the rockets flown on the upper stages ofthe Saturn V moon rocket in the Apolloprogram.

The new Space Launch Vehicle will be thelargest rocket ever built, and will use theexisting, though heavily modified shuttlelaunch and preparation facilities. Currently,the first unmanned test flight is scheduled for2017 and the first manned flight for 2021.

NASA, continued from page 16

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 20

o matter where any of us live, we are subject to naturaldisasters or potential terrorist activity. It’s a sad

commentary, but there are things we can do, proactively, to helpminimize the risk, should we be caught in a disaster situation.

It’s called an EMERGENCY “GO” KIT, and you can make one upfor your house and keep a smaller version in your vehicle.Preparing a Kit in advance can save precious time if you mustevacuate or seek shelter.

When disaster strikes, it’s too late to prepare. Be prepared tohelp your family and yourself through the first 72 hours of anemergency or disaster. Are you prepared? The followinginformation will help you create your Emergency Go Kit.

The following are only suggestions from the U.S. Governmenton what you should keep in your Go Kit. You can certainly add ortake away to suit your area or situation. It looks like a lot of stuff,but you will be surprised how little room it takes once it’s packed.Put these items in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container, such as abackpack or suitcase with wheels. Keep your kit in an easilyaccessible place that you can “grab and go.”

ALERTARE YOU PREPARED IN CASE

OF AN EMERGENCY?

Add the following to your kit: At least a 3-day supply of water

(1 gallon per person/day) in sealed, unbreakable containers.

A three-to five-day supply of non-perishable canned food, and a non-electric can opener

Flashlight Battery-powered or hand crank

radio Extra batteries Wrench and/or pliers to turn off

utilities Whistle to signal for help First Aid kit Prescription medications for at

least one week List of family physicians,

important medical information, and the style and serial number of medical devices, such as pacemakers

Cell phone charger Extra set of eyeglasses, or

contact lenses and solution Rain gear, sturdy shoes, and a

change of clothing Blankets, bedding, and/or

sleeping bags Identification, credit cards, cash Photocopies of important

family documents including bank and home insurance information

Extra set of car and house keys Local maps N95 dust masks to help filter

contaminated air Plastic sheeting, duct tape, and

scissors to shelter in place Tools: screwdrivers, waterproof

matches, a fire extinguisher, flares, plastic storage containers, needle and thread, pen and paper, a compass,

MAKE UP A “GO” KIT AND KEEP IT HANDY

N

usscolumbia.net July 201321

garbage bags, moist towelettes, and regular household bleach Special items for seniors, family members

with disabilities, infants, and young children Change batteries in all your equipment at

least once a year. An easy way to remember is to do it when you turn your clocks back in the fall.

Special items for infants: Formula, bottled water, bottles, nipples Jars of baby food and baby spoons Diapers and diaper rash ointment Medications Moist towelettes and hand sanitizer Blankets, pacifiers, and layers of clothing Sun hat in warm months, warm hat in cool

months Several small, lightweight toys

MAKE A FIRST AID KITIn any emergency you or a family member may be cut, burned, or suffer other injuries. Basic supplies will make you better prepared to help you or your loved ones with injuries.

Things you should have: Two pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (if

you are allergic to Latex). Sterile dressings to stop bleeding. Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic

towelettes to disinfect. Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. Burn ointment to prevent infection. Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes. Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as

general de contaminant. Thermometer. Prescription medications you take every day

such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.

Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.

Things it may be good to have: Scissors Tweezers Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant Aspirin or non aspirin pain reliever Anti-diarrhea medication Antacid (for upset stomach) Laxative

Make a Contact ListBe sure to have an emergency contact list accessible in an event of a disaster.

Take the following steps to create an emergency contact list: Pick an out-of-state friend or relative that all

family members will call if you become separated from each other. (If local phone circuits are busy during an emergency, it may be easier to call out-of-state.)

Give the name, phone number, and e-mail address to each member of your family.

Store the list in a plastic zip-lock bag (to avoid water damage).

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 22

by LT CDR Fran Brock

A Seven-Part Series: Part III: Dr. Beverly Crusher

Doctors from The Star Trek Universe

FROM STARFLEET PERSONNEL FILE:RANK: Commander FULL NAME: Beverly Cheryl Howard CrusherCURRENT ASSIGNMENT: Chief Medical Officer, U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC-1701-DDATE OF BIRTH: October 13, 2324 PLACE OF BIRTH: Copernicus City, LunaMARITAL STATUS: Widowed (Married Jack Crusher, 2348-55)CHILDREN: One son – Wesley Robert Crusher, born July 29, 2349LOCATION OF QUARTERS: Enterprise-D, Deck 8, Room 2133LOCATION OF OFFICE: Enterprise-D, Deck 12, Room 1629PERSONAL INTERESTS: Theater, Dancing, Poker, Cybermetrics, and EthnobotanyCOMMAND AUTHORIZATION CODE: Crusher-2-2-Beta-Charlie

Chief Medical Officer’s Report

LCDR Fran Brock

THE EARLY YEARS:Beverly lost both of her parents when she

was very young. She was raised by herGrandmother, Felisa Howard, on Arvada III.After a great moon collided with the planetcausing it to flood, resourceful Felisa, withBeverly's help and after the synthetic medicinesran out, used natural materials from theenvironment to help treat the injured. Thisprobably set the stage for Beverly becoming aphysician. After the evacuation of Arvada III,Felisa and Beverly settled on Caldos II where,when she became of age, entered StarfleetAcademy.

THE ACADEMY YEARS:Beverly attended Starfleet Academy from 2342

to 2350, during which time she attendedmedical school. While at the Academy, she met,was courted by, and married Jack Crusher in2348. He proposed to her, through a gag gift, abook entitled How to Advance Your CareerThrough Marriage.” She graduated at the top of..

her class, won multiple awards, and in 2350,started an internship with Dr. Dalen Quaice onDelos IV in 2352.

HER PERSONAL AND FAMILY LIFE:While working with Dr. Quaice at the

Academy, Beverly's husband, Jack, was assignedto the USS Stargazer. One year later, their son,Wesley, was born. While on an away mission,Jack was killed. Wesley was five years old. TheStargazer was commanded by Captain Picard,who brought Jack's body home to Beverly. Whatshe didn't realize at the time, was the Picard,who was Jack Crusher's best friend, was secretlyin love with Beverly. The first time Picard metWesley and saw Beverly again, was during the“Encounter at Farpoint”, when Beverly wasassigned to the Enterprise.

There was never any denying that they wereattracted to one another, even though it waskept fairly low-keyed throughout the series.Several episodes eluded to this fact, mostnotably “Attached” where they are linked………….

usscolumbia.net July 201323

She produced the following works, while aboardEnterprise:z Cyrano de Bergerac in 2367, starring Reginald

Barclay and herself.z The Pirates of Penzance in 2368, starring

Geordi La Forge.z Something for Breakfast in 2369, starring

William Riker and Jean-Luc Picard.z Frame of Mind in 2369, starring William Riker

and Data.Although she was not

shy about her theatricalabilities, Beverly wassomewhat embarrassed

of her past as a dancer.She did not want to beknown by her nickname“The Dancing Doctor,”

which she picked up whilein Medical School at theAcademy. She studied tapand jazz dance, and won several awards in St.Louis.

Her other hobbies included cybernetics andethnobotany, and she wrote papers on thesesubjects. She studied the Klingon mok’bara, useof the bat’leth, and other martial arts withLieutenant Worf. Her favorite holodecksimulations include Alture VII and the OrientExpress.

Crusher was also a regular participant in theEnterprise-D poker games.

DR. CRUSHER IN REAL LIFE:Gates McFadden is not only an actress, but a

choreographer. When in costume as Crusher,McFadden hid her own hair under a wig,requiring over an hour of preparation beforeeach day’s shooting.

She was reluctant to accept the role of Dr.Crusher because of her commitment to appearin the play “The Matchmaker” at the La JollaPlayhouse. During the second season, the………..

c

telepathically and their deep romantic feelingstoward each, are revealed to the other. It wasBeverly who never let the relationship develop.She was not emotionally ready (nor ever was) totake that next step in their relationship. Bothremained pretending their feelings for eachother, didn't exist.

HER LIFE ON BOARD THE ENTERPRISE:Dr. Crusher took the bridge officer's test in

2362, and was promoted to Commander. Shewas appointed Chief Medical Officer of theStarship Enterprise-D, Stardate 41154, in 2364,and joined the ship at Farpoint Station withWesley. Captain Picard initially had reservationsabout her presence, but she assured him thatthe past would have no effect on her duties andshe had no problem serving under hiscommand.

Dr. Crusher was offered a position as head ofStarfleet Medical in 2365 and left the Enterprisefor one year. She was replaced by Dr. KatherinePulaski. While at Starfleet Medical, she workedwith Lieutenant Commander Calvin Hutchinson.Crusher found it difficult to be away from theEnterprise and decided to return to the ship thefollowing year. The true reason for Beverly'sreturn was never explicitly stated.

As a fully-certified bridge officer, Crushercommanded the Enterprise-D on severaloccasions, most notably in 2370, while nearlythe entire crew was searching for Data on arenegade Borg planet. The ship was attacked bya Borg vessel, but her quick thinking allowed theEnterprise to escape and destroy the Borg Ship.(TNG: “Descent”, “Descent, Part II”) She alsooccasionally commanded night watch shifts inorder to stay on top of starship operations.

PERSONAL INTERESTS:Beverly was an accomplished thespian and

playwright. She formed a theater troupe aboardthe Enterprise and produced several classic andoriginal plays, sometimes to the dismay of thecrew members she sought to fill the roles. Shealso teaches an acting workshop.

Crusher, continued on page 30

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 24

AT HOME:

{ Never indicate you are home alone.

{ When home alone never open your door to a stranger.

{ Do not open the door to anyone you do not know without first verifying the person's

identity. This includes police officers, repair, delivery or salespersons, and political or

charity volunteers.

{ Never allow a stranger into a security entrance. This includes someone asking to leave a

package or a note for a neighbor.

{ Young children should be taught not to answer the door.

{ Engrave all of your valuable property. Keep a record of the serial numbers of valuable

equipment. Photograph or videotape other valuables. Keep photographs and records of

serial numbers separate from your valuables in a safe at home or in a safe-deposit box.

{ Always lock your door, even if you leave your home for just a few minutes.

{ Have telephone numbers for emergencies, such as the police, and fire and paramedic

services on every telephone in the house.

{ Have your door key in your hand when approaching your entryway.

At night, keep car headlights on and car doors locked until you have checked your

garage or parking area. Look around before you get out of your car.

{ If you are driven home, ask the driver to wait until you are safely inside.

Never go into your home if anything seems unusual, such as an open door or a broken

window. Leave immediately to a place where you can call the police. Do not go into

your home until the police advise it is safe.

{ Give a duplicate house key to a relative, trusted friend or neighbor in case you are ever

locked out.

{ Do not hide house keys in mailboxes, in planters, under doormats, or other places they

might be easily found. This will prevent criminals from finding an easy way into your

home.

Chief of Security Report

LT CDR Brent Griffis

Vacation Security: Basic Personal Safety

Here in the Northern Hemisphere of planet Earth, it’s officially Summer. For many of us,

Summer means vacation! Vacations are meant to be relaxing, but according to the FBI,

crime tends to increase about 10% during Summer Months.

With that in mind, here are a few basic tips adapted from the City of Nichols Hills,

Oklahoma. Following these precautions should help keep you safe at home and while on

vacation, so that you can focus on the FUN parts of Summer!

usscolumbia.net July 201325

WHILE TRAVELLING:

{ Don't travel with loads of cash. Instead, access cash via ATMs (machines in some

countries only work with four-digit passwords) or carry travelers check. If you don't have

a credit or debit card, you may wish to purchase a prepaid Cheque Card.

{ Protect your valuables. Many hotels have in-room safes; use yours. If you plan to go to

the beach, for instance, leave your wallets, passports, watches, and other valuables

locked in the safe. If your room itself doesn't have a safe and you're staying in a

reputable hotel, put items in an envelope and ask the front desk to place them in its safe

until your return.

{ Don't go with strangers at night. If you forgot this lesson from grade school, remember

it before you board the plane. Of course, every one you meet on your travels will be a

stranger, and this can form the basis of some wonderful relationships and insights into

the place you're visiting. But until you know and can trust a stranger, stick to meeting in

public places during daylight hours.

{ Stay away from dangerous neighborhoods. Don't know where the "dangerous"

neighborhoods are? Ask a cop, a cabdriver, a concierge. They'll know.

{ Stay alert. There are criminals who specialize in preying on tourists. In parts of Europe

pickpockets are rampant. They'll surround a traveler or create a distraction, and the

next thing you know, your wallet is gone. Don't keep cash in an obvious spot, such as a

back-pocket, wallet, or swinging purse.

{ Lock your door. An open door is an invitation to intruders. If you are not comfortable

with the security at your hotel, inform the management and ask them to take action.

As an additional resource, the United States Department of State publishes Consular

Information Sheets about every nation. They cover crime conditions and steps crime victims

should take. Current Travel Warnings lists countries the U.S. government considers

particularly dangerous and recommends avoiding.

{ Do not place personal identification on key rings.

{ Be able to separate your car key from all of your other keys. You can purchase a

detachable key ring for this purpose.

{ Leave only your ignition key with the car when it is valet parked, serviced or repaired.

{ If you lose the keys to your home, change the locks as soon as possible.

Have a safe summer!

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 26

RELIGION

his teachings, the groups that

eventually united to become

Romulans, had a mistrust of

telepathy. While the Romulan

familial codes prevented the killing

of these telepaths, especially if no

misdeeds could be proven,

misdeeds could be proven, they

were instead banished to Remus.

What is not known in Federation

data is whether or not Remus had

an indigenous population that the

Romulans interbred with, or if the

harsh planetary climate and

evolution altered the Romulans that

..

Romulans

thingsto knowabout

g1

g2

g3

g4

BELIEFSGENERATIONS

settled that planet. A tangent species was

created that had an inherent telepathic strength

that the Empire learned to exploit in the face of

the wide use of psychics, in both the Federation,

and the Klingon Empire.

RACE

The Romulan People are a

deeply religious people with

…..

Romulans consider those

with psychic abilities untrust-

……..

The Romulan people are the

parent species of five genetically

……diverse groups: The Chalchaj’qmey, The Remans,

The Debrune, The Watraii, and The Garidian.

This does not include those races, some yet

undiscovered, that split away from the greater

Romulan people during the first great diaspora

during the time of Surak. Countless planets are

being discovered, many in Federation space,

which are inhabited by these Romulan

descendants. In many cases the historical record

of their Romulan origin is lost in time. ….

worthy and avoid them at all costs.

While telepathy was encouraged by

Surak of Vulcan. Those that opposed

…

as many religious factions found on

any Federation planet, including Earth.

The largest portion of the Romulan

people believe in a materialistic

concept of the universe, they also

ascribe religious significance to this

particular world view. There are

subcultures of Romulans that range

from Pantheistic to monotheistic, some

are also ancestor worshippers. Many

humans that have come into contact

with religiously devout Romulans are

stricken by the similarities that are

found in Earth cultures.

Romulans and humans are

genetically compatible enough to

……have children. The same is true with Vulcans.

……usscolumbia.net July 201327

THE OFFICER

Article and original artwork by CDR Bob McDonald

g5 ALE

These inter species unions are

more numerous since the

destruction of Romulus and the

scattering of Romulans

throughout the Alpha and Beta

Quadrants. This compatibility

is believed to be due to the

ancient genetic seeding of

several hundred thousand

planets by a species known

only as “The Preservers.”

alcoholic beverage in the entire

galaxy. In fact, a little

unknown historical fact is that it

was the generational brew

masters and their guilds that

made the greatest headway in

peace talks with the Federation

before and after the

Destruction of Romulus. As it is,

The Tranchot brand of Romulan

Ale is now brewed in

Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France.

History has even quoted

Ambassador Picard when he

signed the pact of friendship

allowing the first of the

Romulan colonies to be

established in Federation

space, he stood up with the

Head of the Guild of Tranchot,

raising a glass of Romulan Ale

said, “What we failed to do

with technology, we have done

with taste.”

Romulans make what

is considered the finest

..

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 28

o add to the hype of the release of StarTrek: Into Darkness, IDW publishingreleased a four part miniseries titled,

"Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness." It isthe official comic prequel to the new movie.

The publishing company did somethingsimilar when the '09 reboot was hittingtheatres. The comic miniseries, like the newStar Trek video game, takes place in betweenthe '09 reboot and Into Darkness.

In fact for those of you who have seenthe movie, there is a direct reference thecomic miniseries when Sulu references "the…..

by Lt. Nick Elder

planet, the Enterprise crew discovers a warwith strange weaponry not adherent to thedevelopment status of the indigenousspecies. They must investigate further.However, their shuttle is shot down upon……

Mudd incident."Yes Mudd doesmake anappearance (inways you wouldnot expect), but isnot the revolvingpremise or overarching plot ofthe series.

The seriesrevolves aroundthe planetPhaedus. Uponarriving at the……….

descent to the planet, leaving Sulu………….separated from Kirk and Spock. The……..dynamic duo then team up with a..mysterious person from the……Enterprise's past to save…..Sulu and survive the war…..on the planet's surface.……Subsequently one problem…...after another arises for the……..crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise,……………ultimately threatening Kirk's……………..command and the lives of everyone on..…….the ship!

Intense, right? Now for my thoughts....…It was a great read and I was truly entwinedin the story wanting to figure out themystery or what was to happen next. Ishould mention there is a big mysteriouselement throughout the books, whichlooking back was probably intentional fortheir set up of Into Darkness. It made menot want to put the series down and forcedme to save my money so that I could buy thenext issue when it came out.

It was also really cool to see thereferences to the original series and how the…….

usscolumbia.net July 201329

writers put their own twist on things. Overall a great series, but the art at times was a bitdetracting. Don't get me wrong David Messina did a great job with the art and it was coloredand inked very well, but sometimes Kirk didn’t look like Chris Pine and Spock didn’t really looklike Zachary Quinto. Then again, faces are generally pretty hard to copy dead on, so I guess itis up to you. It just kind of threw me off a bit.

If you have any interest in reading the 4-part miniseries, you can pick them up at your local… comic book stores, Barnes and Nobles, or you can order them online.

They are available in four separate issues or in one……………. omnibus. Also for you collectors out there, each

……..issue has an alternate cover with a movie tie-in…………picture. That being said, the standard covers feature

…..Kirk, Uhura, Spock, and a Klingon General, so you know….what to look for in the stores. For those of you who do

…pick it up, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

V

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 30

Click here to read Dr. Crusher’s full history.

Crusher character was written out ofthe show and replaced by the louder,more outgoing Dr. Katherine Pulaski(Diana Muldaur). Patrick Stewardwas upset by McFadden's departurefrom the show and played a large partin bringing about her return.McFadden returned to the show inthe third season, with her characterbeing reassigned to the Enterprise.On the show, the explanation was……..

Crusher, continued from page 24 given that her character “was offheading up Starfleet Medical forthe year.” Upon her return, thecharacter became more varied andmore richly developed, and wasnot afraid to go head-to-head withPicard. Episodes featuring Beverlycrusher focused on her romanticlife, often with unexpected alienlife forms.

The KobayashiMaru scenario frequently

wreaks havoc on students andequipment. As I recall you tookThe test three times yourself.Your final solution was, shall

we say, unique?

ave you ever wondered what it would belike to be in the middle of 1,500

motorcyclists engaged in a ride for charity? Well,let me tell you, there is nothing like it in theworld.

The sound of those many types of engines allcoming to life at the same time to begin the run,make the sound of the start of the Indianapolis500 seem quite tame.

On June 2, 2013, I participated in the 23rd

Annual, “God Bless America” motorcycle ride, toraise money for the Martinsburg, West Virginia,Veterans Administration Medical Center. Lastyear, there were 1,200 motorcyclists, who raiseda total of $32,000 to present to the Veterans tobuy items for their facility that is not covered byGovernment funding (mostly recreationalequipment for the Veterans who stay there).

I have a “trike” a conventional three-wheelmotorcycle – a 2007 Suzuki C-50 Boulevard, 800cc, in silver and white. I have always wanted toride, but because of various things, never gotaround to it until two years ago when I boughtthe bike, used, even before I got my license. Thebike called to me. I answered. At 65, getting alicense for the first time changed my life, andnow, this event today, changed my life at thetender age of 67.

The ride itself was not terribly long. About150 miles round trip, from my home and backagain. The actual ride, was 35 miles – fromGreencastle, Pennsylvania to the VA Hospital inMartinsburg, West Virginia.

When we cued up for the ride, there were…..

23rd Annual

RideReflections on a Perfect Day by LT CDR Fran Brock

four rows of bikers, stretching for at least a halfmile. Our ride started on an interstate athighway speeds, but then diverted to the manysmall towns and state roads along the way to theVeterans Hospital where our speed slowedsignificantly. It was, indeed, a humblingexperience to see many more thousands ofpeople along the way, lining the route, wavingAmerican Flags, saluting, and holding up placardssaying, “Thank you, for the Vets.” I know Iwasn’t the only one who choked up severaltimes caught in the middle of a cause that meantsomething special to so many people.

When we arrived at the Hospital, we allparked on the grass, and cued up for a box lunchthat was given to us by the VA hospital staff andvolunteers. As I moved through the line, everyVeteran I saw along the way, and after lunch,every Veteran I sought out, I shook their hands

and thanked them for their………

H

service. Sometimes misting upagain, because some of theresidents were the few…………….surviving souls left from

World War II, or……………younger residents

from our present………..

conflict, still profoundlyaffected by the…………….experiences of war. All manner of Veteran were

there for treatment, from WWII, up through thepresent.

…..…

usscolumbia.net July 201331

Motorcycle, continued on page 38

CStarTrek uisine

Unchewed Tube Grubs Au Gratin(Baked Macaroni and Cheese)

´

by LT CDR Fran Brock

Ingredients:1 pound package of tube grubs (small elbow macaroni)8 ounces of Mild Cheddar Cheese, shredded8 ounces of Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded 1 quart of milk1/4 cup of Parmesan Cheese 4 tablespoons of butter or margarine4 tablespoons of flour Salt and pepper to taste

To Prepare:Boil water and prepare noodles per package instructions. Set aside to drain, but keep pot handy you cooked the noodles in (no need to wash).Preheat oven to 350°

Make a Roux:Melt butter on medium heat in a 2 quart sauce pan. Stir in flour and mix with butter, stirring for five minutes until smooth. Add milk, a little at a time at first, to incorporate flour and butter until smooth. Pour in the remainder of the milk and bring to a boil on medium heat, stirring constantly to keep milk from scalding and sticking to the bottom of the pan until it thickens. Add all of the cheeses and stir until cheese has melted. Salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and pour sauce into pot noodles were cooked in. Pour in noodles and mix thoroughly.

Grease your favorite pan(s) (I like using a glass lasagna pan), and pour in the noodles and sauce.

Bake in the preheated 350° oven for 45-90 minutes depending on the type and size of pan(s), until golden brown.

Remove and let rest for five or ten minutes to cool slightly. Enjoy!

From Ishka of Ferenginar's Kitchen to Yours

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 32

hicTREK How often have you heard or“How can I show my Columbiaexpensive…?” Well, now you………………..

STEP ONE:Go to the following link: Café Press/USS Columbia

Get Stuff!!!STEP TWO:Yup!! It is just that easy. The Café Press shop for the

USS Columbia has shirts, mugs, blankets, pajamas, and isstill growing; to quote MY favorite Starfleet Captain, “Thesky’s the limit” (Captain Jean-Luc Picard; TNG, “All GoodThings”). There are all kinds of items that can be brandedwith STARFLEET and USS Columbia logos. You can showyour pride with clothing, wall clocks, mouse pads, cellphone covers, etc., etc., etc., etc…..the list goes on and on.

I have uploaded images and designs for mostdepartments onboard the Columbia, including the 133rdMarine Strike Group.

My goal is to not only create merchandise that you canhave and wear to advertise the USS Columbia andSTARFLEET International, but to also show pride in yourassigned division.

If you don’t see your particular division or logo up there,you need not fret!! All it takes to design an item is acreative mind and YOU!! Yes, fellow crewmembers, all youneed to do is ask, and all reasonable efforts will be made toupload a clothing or merchandise design to suit your needs.

There are limits on the types of images that can beutilized due to legal reasons, so some images would be off-limits. So far, I have received a few idea requests from theEngineering Department, (thanks to CMDR Turner) and I amcurrently working on making those available.

Search

Columbia Baseball JerseyEnjoy a rousing game of Earth'sfavorite pastime and show your

Columbia pride!!

Suede PillowWomen’s Pajamas

Rest your head on a comfy Columbialogo pillow while wearing your

chic pajamas with built-in comm badge.

usscolumbia.net July 201333

heard or said this: “I wanna support my STARFLEET ship, but I don’t know how?”, orColumbia pride with my limited budget when authentic uniforms are soooooo

now you can!!! It is really very simple and cost effective. Here’s the process:

ApronMake all your Star Trek Cuisine in a Columbia apron.

Command ‘Red’ ShirtDon’t be afraid to beam down

to the next planet!

Round Car MagnetWill attach to your

vehicle's outer hull... but not the Ships....

Search, buy, and wear with PRIDE Columbia!!!!!!

Columbia Baseball JerseyEnjoy a rousing game of Earth's

and show your !!

Women’s Pajamas

Rest your head on a comfy Columbialogo pillow while wearing your

in comm badge.

Congratulations,you’ve achieved‘Trek Chic.’

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 34

M A R K Y O U R

August

3-48-11

1-4Starfleet International

Conference

Dallas, TX

Wizard World ConChicago, IL

Boston Comic ConBoston, MA

8-119-11

Official Star trek ConventionLas Vegas, NV

WhedonFest 2013Franklin, TN

July 18-21

Comic Con InternationalSan Diego, CA

usscolumbia.net July 201335

Y O U R S T A R D A T E S !

For more information regarding Sci Fi Conventionsin your area, check out:

or Southern Fandom Resource Guide

SciFiConventions.com

August

September

13-15ScareFestLexington, KY

7-8Baltimore Comic conBaltimore, MD

21-22Project ComiconST. Louis, MO

7-8Star Trek ConNashville, TN21

20-22Wizard World Con

Columbus, OH

27-29Klingon FeastDaytona Beach, FL

27-29EP-Con

El Paso, TX

6-8Cincinnati ComiconCincinnati, OH

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 36

I recently went to the premiere of the newmovie, Star Trek Into Darkness with my Wife, acouple of fellow Columbia members, Head Chef -Lieutenant Jon Lacer and GenTech Brian Baker(both who are close friends of mine), and a fewother friends. We were a sizeable group and theenergy was high.

It was the first showing on the first day of themovie’s release. We arrived at the theatre at6pm, two hours before the start time of 8pm. Bythe time the doors opened the line had stretcheda great distance, all filled with obvious Star Trekfans. From shirts to costumes, we were in aroom filled with an air of excitement. It was ajoyous feeling. Our group was the second groupof people to get in line that day. We ended upgetting great seats and prepared ourselves forthe experience.

While sitting in the theatre waiting for themovie trailers to begin, I started to think abouthow Star Trek has influenced my life and what ithas given me. I decided then that for my addressfor the Columbia Newsletter I would talk aboutwhat Star Trek means to me.

Some of my earliest memories begin with mesitting on my grandfather’s couch. Right besidehim as we watch, “Return of the Archons,” mypanic when red hour struck, and my excitementat proclaiming “That’s Spock!” I remember as achild sitting on a lawn chair in a drive-in theatrewatching the crew of the enterprise rescue Spockfrom the Genesis planet. I was right there infront of the TV watching as a new crew boldlywent to an “Encounter at Farpoint.” Star Trekwas always a fixture of my life. It has simplybeen there for me, since my beginning.

When I was fourteen, my Uncle JohnFerguson, a man who I loved and admired morethan I could express, was diagnosed with and……..

died of AIDS. It was a brutal shock. He hadcontracted the HIV virus because of a badblood transfusion after getting in a serious carwreck in the mid 80’s. This was at a time whenHIV and AIDS were just being understood anddiscussed seriously among the medical andscientific communities. From the time thedoctors confirmed that he had developed AIDSto his death was about 6 weeks. It was notenough time for any of us to understand whatwas going on.

I was in a state of shock. As a fourteen yearold boy, I had to understand that this horriblething was actually happening. The result of hisdeath sent me spiraling into a deepdepression. I didn’t even know how to expressmy feelings or even understand that it wasdepression that I was going through, yet it was.

A few months had passed and I began torealize that I needed to take hold of myanguish and find a way to not let it destroy me.I would hang out at a local comic book shopand I was there one day listening to a friend ofmine talking about his dad’s “Starship” out ofTerre Haute, IN. called the U.S.S. Xanthe.

In listening to that conversation I becamerather intrigued by this concept. I asked theowner, “well is there anything like that here?”which is in Evansville, IN. To my surprise hehanded me a flyer for a curious group calledthe “Shuttle Quadrotriticale.” It went on to sayit was a chapter of a group called STARFLEETInternational. I asked my mom that night if Icould go to the meeting. She was more thanhappy to take me and went herself. We joinedthat night.

A year later, that Shuttle became the U.S.S.Khitomer NCC-61812. I became very active inthe Ship (eventually becoming its First Officer.)I began to watch Star Trek regularly. Then Ibegan to read books, and I found solace in the…

Chaplain’s Address

Specialty Services Report

CDR Bob McDonald

usscolumbia.net July 201337

Photo Credits

usscolumbia.netJuly 2013 38

The 30 mile ride back to my home in a pouring rain, was aquiet one. I never felt the drops. It was an honor and athrill to participate in this event, and I will continue to dothis, every year now, until I can no longer ride.

As a final thought, let me say that all of us, from timeto time, forget the price our Nation pays by sending itssoldiers to war. Through the generations, we take forgranted our freedom, and the price we pay for it. Thosesoldiers that were there haven’t forgotten though, andneither did the Veterans who also participated in the ride.

Motorcycle, continued from page 31

crew of the Enterprise.I attended my first Star Trek convention at the

age of fourteen. I met James Doohan and got hisautograph, which I still have framed on the wall ofmy house to this day. My world view becameinfluenced by the principals of the Federation. Thevision of Gene Roddenberry became my vision.Through Star Trek I was brought out of my pit ofdespair, something that I will never forget.

Star Trek became my way of life. Star Treksaved me. I say that with all the weight of my lifeon its words. It is more than a show. Star Trek ismore than a science fiction story. It has been thecause of my deepest moments of spiritual awe.Star Trek is part of my DNA. I have continued toattend conventions throughout my life, attendingthe 35th anniversary convention in Huntsville,Alabama among others.

While life has had its ups and downs, I havefound that there has always been Star Trek. I havesaid before in a statement that I am absolutelyfanatical about Star Trek because it deserves myfanaticism. Star Trek teaches virtue. It shows youhow to be a better person. To hope for a day whenbigotry, war, poverty, and all the other ills of oursociety vanish.

We work toward that bright future. Weunderstand that Gene Roddenberry, The Great Birdof the Galaxy, was more than just a simple sciencefiction writer. He created a movement.

I am grateful that I rejoined STARFLEET,International after years away.

Life takes you to places and tests you. Yet,what is important always finds a place back in yourlife. I am grateful for the U.S.S. Columbia and itswork toward that bright future. I am proud toserve with all of you, and I say that with mydeepest sincerity.

.........

Cover Page: USS Enterprise – TrekBats FontPages 1 & 2: USS Enterprise – TNG Cast FontPage 3: STARFLEET Logos used in accordance with their copyright laws.Page 4: STARFLEET rank and awards logos used in accordance with STARFLEETcopyright laws.Page 5: USS Enterprise – StarDown Font.Page 6: Commbadge - Bajoran Font.Page 7: STARFLEET Commbadge –Bajoran Font.Page 8: Photo of Mike Jones used with his permission.Page 9: Photo of STID movie posters used with permission from Mike Jones.Photos of Nick Elder, Bob McDonald, Brian Baker, Jon Lacer, and Kevin Turnerused with their permission.Page 10: STARFLEET Science Logo used in accordance with their copyright laws.Page 11: STARFLEET Operations Logo used in accordance with their copyrightlaws. Phaser – TrekBats Font.Pages 13: STARFLEET Academy Logo used in accordance with their copyright laws.Commbadge – Bajoran Font.Page 14: Photo of cell phone case used with permission from Kristy LaFata.Page 15: Space Launch System image used in accordance with NASA copyrightlaws.Page 16: Orion image used in accordance with NASA copyright laws.Pages 17, 18, & 19: STARFLEET Engineering Logo used in accordance with theircopyright laws. Image of cowboy, telegraph, telephone, cell phone andcommbadge are clip art and are used under the condition of the CreativeCommons Deed.Page 21: Commbadge – Bajoran Font.Page 22: Commbadge – Bajoran Font. Image of First Aid Kit is clip art and is usedunder the condition of the Creative Commons Deed.Page 23: Excerpt of article from Wikipedia and used under the condition of theCreative Commons Deed. STARFLEET Medical Logo used in accordance with theircopyright laws.Page 24: Dr. Crusher – TNGCast Font.Pages 25 & 26: STARFLEET Security Logo used in accordance with STARFLEETcopyright laws. Commbadge – Trek Bats Font.Pages 27 & 28: Romulan Bird – Trek Signs Font. Original artwork used withpermission from Bob McDonald.Pages 29 & 30: Photos of Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness comic books taken byNick Elder and used with his permission. Spock – TNGCast Font.Page 31: Image of motorcycle is clip art and is used under the condition of theCreative Commons Deed. Commbadge – Trek Signs Font.Pages 33 & 34: Photos of Café Press merchandise used with permission.Pages 37 & 38: STARFLEET Special Services Logo used in accordance withtheir copyright laws.Back Page: - USS Enterprise – Trek Bats font. Image of planets Neptune, Saturn,Pluto, and star are NASA images and used in accordance with their copyrightlaws. -STARFLEET Logos are used in accordance with their copyright laws.

To any of the Columbia crew who are Veterans– THANK YOU for your service – for making itpossible for me to write this heartfelt article.

We should all, every day, whenever we see someonein a store, at the gas pumps, in church, wherever, wearinga hat or pin, indicating they served, walk up to thatindividual and thank them for their sacrifices while inservice to our Country.

Go to www.sfi.org and join today.

The future depends on you.

ENLIST IN STARFLEET

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