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<TITLE>Fleet Commander Sheppard, Fleet Announcements Spring 2163</TITLE>
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<FONT FACE="Geneva, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12pt'>Greetings, <BR>
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I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve TFE as the new Fleet Commander, and want to take a few moments to make an informal address to the Fleet. Robert, Admiral Garroway, has done a fine job of managing the Fleet for a number of years and since I don’t see that anything is “broke,” I “ain’t gonna try to fix it” by making changes. <BR>
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I would like to ask if there are individuals among you who would be interested in serving the Fleet in some capacity, based of course on your time, availability and talents offered. Please contact me if so.<BR>
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Robert served the Fleet as Fleet Webmaster. I am unable to do that facet of the job, and ask if anyone with Webmaster skills has time to fill that need, please contact me. It is not a huge job, and does not require a great deal of maintenance. Thank you. <BR>
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I openly solicit your opinions on any Fleet level matters, including the website, ideas for possible Fleet-wide interaction among the sims, or awards for your crew or Command Team. We are a small group. Many of us have been here for a long time and are well acquainted with other writers on the other ships, Outpost & Colony. We are a community and I think that should be celebrated and nurtured. <BR>
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At this time, I would like to offer thanks and commendation to a few of our current members. <BR>
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To Chris (aka Cmdr Ethan Armstrong, USS Yorktown) and Leo (aka Force Commander Da’nak Ca’daar, USS Yorktown) for outstanding coordination of the merging to the USS Intrepid with the USS Yorktown, I present both with the <B>Starfleet Medal of Command</B>. When it became necessary to put Intrepid on hiatus, Leo and Chris (then CO of Intrepid) worked in perfect harmony to move the crew of four from Intrepid into active duty on the Yorktown and devised a plot wherein the Intrepid was put on hiatus with the open possibility of being revived at any time. The Medal of Command is awarded to any writer/player(s), distinguished by In Character co-coordinating, and Out of Character organizing, of any operation involving two or more simulations. Congratulations and thank you, Chris and Leo.<BR>
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</FONT><FONT FACE="Geneva, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial">In addition, it is a pleasure to present to Leo (aka Force Commander Da’nak Ca’daar, CO Yorktown), at the request and with the appreciation of his crew, with the <B>Gold Starfleet Cross.</B> <FONT COLOR="#192635">The Gold Starfleet Cross is awarded to any in-character member of Starfleet who has shown demonstrable leadership and initiative, and has performed all duties in an exemplary manner, setting an example for others to follow.<BR>
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To Anna (aka Capt Sasha Spearling, CO Forrest Outpost & former CO of USS Challenger), it is an honor to offer thanks for the near seamless transition of leadership of Forrest Outpost from Robert (Capt Nathan Thompson/Admiral Thomas Garroway) to Anna (Capt Spearling) over the course of February and March 2163. It was a complicated orchestration of timing and Anna did a superb job of taking the reins. Anna, please accept the <B>Starfleet Preantares Medal of Commendation First Class.</B> The medal may be awarded to any individual SIM member that has exhibited distinguished out-of-character service that has helped the TFE as a whole.<BR>
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Occasionally, if becomes necessary to place a sim on hiatus for lack of participation. It is with sadness that such was the case this past year with the USS Challenger. After a long, heroic and prestigious run, Challenger met with a series of circumstances that resulted in the necessity to close the game indefinitely. One individual member of that crew remained, and he took on the responsibility of inventing and writing the mysterious disappearance of the ship, from which it can be recalled and restored to active duty when the time is right. Steve Baxter, aka LtCmdr Richard McDonald (CEO USS Challenger and current CEO Forrest Outpost), battled his way, single-handedly, through the painful closure of his favorite sim. As recognition of a fine storyline, a persevering spirit, and faithful service to TFE, it is a great honor to present to Steve the <B>Starfleet Legion of Merit</B>. The Legion of Merit is Earth's highest achievement award and may be awarded to any In-Character service member of Starfleet who distinguishes himself by meritorious non-combat achievement or service above and beyond the call of duty. Steve certainly qualifies. Thank you, Steve.<BR>
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Finally, I’d like to introduce the long awaited update of our uniforms. This design is the result of a discussion begun last year among the CO/XO’s, and refinement by a committee of four, comprised of two men and two women. The drawings are attached. The women’s version is identical in design. Please take note of the comments at the bottom of the images. It is hoped that it is a step toward the future without abandoning too quickly the tradition set for the “Archer” era. Feel free to pick up a whole cargo shipment of the new uniforms at your next appropriate opportunity. <BR>
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Again, I urge anyone to contact me if I can be of help in any way to accommodate your fun at TFE. That’s the prime directive: have fun. <BR>
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With many thanks to this entire organization, <BR>
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Kate <BR>
Admiral Adrienne Sheppard, Fleet Commander <BR>
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-- </FONT></SPAN><FONT COLOR="#00007F"><FONT SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="Papyrus, Times New Roman"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:10pt'><B><I>-It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations if you live near him. JRR Tolkien<BR>
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