Captain's Log Star Date 1004.05

Captain’s Log Star Date 1004.05

Greetings shipmates and friends,

Well, another fledgling has left the nest! Congratulations to the officers and crew of the USS Chinook who commissioned Saturday at Norwescon. They are off to a great start and I am very proud of their efforts. Cathey, Boomer and I drove up to the con and were joined by Rich, Kathy, David (our newest member, welcome!) and Lisa. I would like to thank you all for helping make the commissioning a memorable event for our newly fledged starship.



Last meeting was a lot of fun for some folks, unfortunately a bit boring for others. The fun part, we had our first ever “Thermopylae Chopped” (or Beam-Out)! Look for details in another article. Needless to say the judges were impressed as were the members of the crew that had the opportunity to try the various concoctions created by our wonderful competitors!

Coming up is the 4th Annual Thermopylae Anniversary Dinner on April 18th. More info in yet another article is forthcoming. I will also be posting information via the yahoo group (Therm and R5).

We have another huge event coming up the weekend of the 23rd through the 25th of April. The Region 5 Summit will be held at the Pasco Best Western. I encourage as many folks as possible to attend. I have received a few award nominations (as RC) and the committee and I will be making some decisions in the upcoming weeks ahead.

On a totally unrelated topic, our dear friend Ken Hill will be initiated into Westgate Lodge #180 as an Entered Apprentice Mason the 17th of April. Boomer and I will be attending and participating in his degree and thus not available that evening. If you get a chance, drop Ken a note!

The cleanup of the gun battery at Fort Worden went really well. Boats, Scott, Duncan, Connor, Boomer and I (later joined by the Purkey Squadron) worked on removing about 30 years of accumulated growth over the concrete gun encasements. It was pretty hard work, especially for this desk jockey, but it is always great to see such positive results. We found several antique bottles which will be cleaned up and displayed in the museum at Fort Worden. I anticipate one or two more cleanup activities at the fort and we will then be able to camp there for free in the autumn, just in time for the 503rd Muster! I hope we can get even more of our fine crew out there, many hands make light work!

That’s about it for now. I look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting/dinner on the 18th and as many as can make it to the regional summit.


Live long and prosper,

FCPT Joe

CO USS Thermopylae (et al)