USS Inferno Commissioning Ceremony
By Colonel K’moghjIH sutai-Ki’RK (Larry D.
French, Sr.)
A grand time was had by all at the USS Inferno Commissioning Ceremony held at Miller’s Seafood Restaurant on March 7th, 2004 at 5PM. Miller's Restaurant is located at 3853 California Ave. in the Brighton Heights area of Pittsburgh, PA. We had all three of the Command Staff present, two general members, and four prospective members/guests. USS Niagara’s Doctor, Lt. Cmdr. Craig Horbinski, M.D. Ph.D. and Counselor, Lt. Christina Horbinski also joined us for the evening.
The evening started off with an official Empty Chair Ceremony (attached PADD #1) to honor one of our warriors and military veterans that was recently killed in a skiing accident. His name was First Sergeant Matthew Rose (K'nI'pin'a'bu Rustadzh). His memory will live on at http://www.angelfire.com/trek/ussinferno/MattRose.html . After the Empty Chair Ceremony, the Command Staff briefly talked about Matt and how he touched their lives.
The next part of the festivities was dinner and pleasant conversation. Luckily, this brought the spirit of the evening to a more happier note after the seriousness of the beginning.
After dinner, the Chief of Operations, Lt. Colonel Ksimka vestai-Ki’RK (Debbie French) proceeded to read the official commissioning ceremony (attached PADD #2). Following the official commissioning, a communiqué from Rear Jeffery Higdon was read (attached following PADD #2). The away team from the USS Niagara presented the Command Staff with a gift to welcome them into the fleet. The evening concluded with the cutting and consumption of a cake and further discussion.
Some of the prospective members and the Command Staff visited the quarters of the Captain for regaling of stories to wind down the evening.
COL K'moghjIH sutai-Ki'RK
(Larry D. French, Sr.)
XO, USS Inferno, NCC-15202
OIC, 740th MSG
ADU-006-O, Special SFSO Ranger Operative
DOIC, 6th BN 7th BDE
email: lfrench@maquis.com
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/ussinferno/index.html
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/ussinferno/740th.html
PADD #1
As you
entered the dining area this evening you may have noticed a small table in a
place of honor near our head table. It is set for one. The military caste is filled
with symbolism. This table is our way of symbolizing the fact that a member of
our crew is missing from our midst. He was unable to be with us this evening
and so we remember him because of his passing.
This table set for one is small, symbolizing the frailty of
one warrior alone against his oppressors. Remember!
The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of his
intentions to respond to his country's call to arms. Remember!
The single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the family
and loved ones of our warrior-in-arms who kept the faith awaiting their return.
Remember!
The red ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is
reminiscent of the red blood shed in dedication of his service and enthusiasm
of life.
Remember!
A slice of lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of his
bitter fate.
Remember!
There is salt upon the bread plate symbolic of the family’s
and friends’ tears as they mourn.
Remember!
The glass is inverted, he cannot toast with us this night.
Remember!
The chair--the chair is empty—he is not here.
Remember!
Let us
now raise our water glasses in a toast to honor our warrior!
PADD#2
To: All Stations, All Commands -- Attention ToOrders.
From: STARFLEET Headquarters, The
Office of Chief STARFLEET Operations (BGN Joost Ueffing)
Re: Commissioning of USS Inferno, NCC-15202
CC: STARFLEET Headquarters, The Office
of STARFLEET Shuttle Operations Command (COMM Jerry Tien)
To ADM. Alex Rosenzweig: You are
hereby directed and required to deliver United Star Ship Inferno, Helepolis IV class strike carrier, STARFLEET Registry
NCC-15202, into commission as of this date as a STARFLEET Ship of the Line.
To CAPT. R.E.Angelsy (David W.
Ferber), Herein appointed Commanding Officer of USS Inferno: You are hereby
directed and required to repair forthwith on board of the said ship and take
upon you the charge and command of Captain of her accordingly; and all the
officers and company of said ship subordinate to you are further charged and
commanded to behave themselves jointly and severally in their respective
employments with all due respect and obedience to you their Captain.
To COL. K’moghjIH sutai-Ki’RK
(Larry D. French, Sr.), Herein appointed Executive Officer of USS Inferno: You
are hereby directed and required to repair forthwith on board of the said ship
and take upon you the charge and command of Executive Officer of her
accordingly; and all the officers and company of said ship subordinate to you
are further charged and commanded to behave themselves jointly and severally in
their respective employments with all due respect and obedience to you their
Executive Officer.
The Commissioning of a new Starship is the proudest duty that I
have as Chief of STARFLEET Operations. Your official orders for the ships
records will be forthcoming via regular STARFLEET dispatch. On
behalf of STARFLEET Operations and STARFLEET Shuttle Operations good luck and
God speed in your STARFLEET journey.
Given under my hand and the seal of
STARFLEET Command, Stardate 10401.25.
Brigadier General Joost
"Excalibur" Ueffing
Chief of Operations, SFI (ops@sfi.org)
XO, USS Magellan (R14) (xomagellan@delhaven.ns.ca)
AE Branch Director, SFMCA
On behalf of the Officers and Crew of the USS
Black Hawk, NCC-75004, Sovereign Class Starship, a chapter of STARFLEET, I want
to congratulate you on this momentous occasion.
The creation of a fandom chapter - any
chapter or, in fact, club - is a huge undertaking. It is taken knowing that you
may not succeed. When you do the fruits of what has been created can be so
sweet. However this is only a beginning. You as the members of this chapter of
STARFLEET must cultivate and nurture the chapter, not only to help it grow and
prosper, but to also keep the members you have as part of the growth you will
experience.
To the Captain I say this - you have the
largest job ahead of anybody aboard. Take it from one who started with five
members and has kept the faith with those who chose to stay for over nine
years. Use your personnel and seek their advise. Do
all things in moderation and keep your door open. That way you will have a
great time in the center seat.
To your First Officer I say this - support
your commanding officer. He will need your support and your guidance. They say
the toughest job is that of a Captain of his ship, but equally difficult is
that job of the Executive Officer. 'Number One' is not a nickname but a title
bestowed by your captain onto a good Exec. Be a good one because one day you
may take the center seat.
To the rest of your Command Staff I say this
- support your Captain and Exec. Help them. Stay the course. If you quarrel let
it be for pitty things. You should not sacrifice
yourselves but should be a good mix to you top two. They not only represent you
but the entire membership of the chapter.
And to the rest of the Officers and Crew of
the good ship Inferno, I say this - Good luck on the voyages which you are
about to take. Be active within your chapter and please above all, have FUN.
This is the operative word and Trekdom will be richer
because you are a part of this brave new chapter within STARFLEET. Keep the
faith and may the winds be at your backs.
We are Honored to call you a sister ship.
Rear Admiral Jeffery Higdon
Commanding Officer
USS Black Hawk, NCC-75004
Director
STARFLEET Diplomatic Corps
Executive Officer Colonel K'moghjIH sutai-Ki'RK (Larry D.
French, Sr.) reads the Empty Chair Ceremony for First Sergeant Matthew Rose (K'nI'pin'a'bu Rustadzh).
Colonel K'moghjIH speaks about how Matthew influenced
his life. Chief of Operations, Lt. Colonel Ksimka vestai-Ki’RK (Debbie French) reads the official
commissioning ceremony.
Lt. Colonel Ksimka reads the official commissioning
ceremony to Colonel K'moghjIH and Commanding Officer
Captain R. E. Angelsy (David W. Ferber) and then
Colonel K'moghjIH reads a communique'
from Rear Admiral Jeffery Higdon.
After Colonel K'moghjIH finishes reading, the Captain
opens the USS Niagara's gift.
The Commissioning Cake. USS Niagara’s Doctor, Lt.
Cmdr. Craig Horbinski, M.D. Ph.D. and Counselor, Lt.
Christina Horbinski poses with the Captain and XO and
their gift.
Lt. Colonel Ksimka cuts the cake.