: Posted by Lt. Cmdr. Madison "Matty" Sullivan (Chief Engineer) in To Star-fleet...
: : Posted by Commander Asani Rhynia (Executive Officer) in To Star-fleet...
: : : Posted by Captain Sares Q'tal (Commanding Officer) in To Star-fleet...
: : : To All-
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: : : I wanted to write you all for some time now and I'm finally taking the opportunity to do it so here goes. I've been with this organization since November of 2000 and I have loved the experiences that I have encountered here just as experiences I've encountered in my real life. I have read many of these type of posts in my tenure and I want mine to be a little different because that's how I am lol. There comes a time in a persons career when they feel it is time to move on to other things...and to be honest my friends I believe my time has come in that respect. I have thought about taking an LOA or an extended LOA but I haven't ever taken an LOA that I remember in my entire 10 years and I don't feel that now is a time to start. I don't want to say that the "real life bug" has hit me because I do not believe that to be a valid excuse. I travelled overseas with the military, moved from one house to another, for ten years and have always gotten the job done in STF. Not saying that others who have claimed that as a reason for leaving weren't valid but I do not want to use that excuse. Am I busy? Absolutely! Am I so busy that I can't keep up? No. However when you feel you have grown as an individual and no longer need certain things in your life...this is where I am and how I feel. You see me and star-fleet have a unique relationship in that when I needed something to lean on STF was there and I would like to think I have been here for STF too. But now each of us are content and I feel we no longer need each other for support. I have so many people on here that I want to recognize and thank for being a part of my life, so let me begin...First and foremost Kat Dedul...you have been an integral part of my STF experience. I mean it's hard to even put into words what you mean to me and STF. You are an excellent RP'er, brilliant in thought, a hard worker and student in life. If it were up to me at least one ship in every fleet would have Kat Dedul's name on it in some way. You've been my XO, CO, and FComm as well as a mentor and friend. I consider you a close friend and the day you decide to ever leave STF it will be a day of mourning for all. Thank you very much and I shall miss you. Cale Reilly...my right hand, my confidant, my wall to bounce ideas off of (lol), you have been awesome in every thing that you have touched within STF. Do not sell yourself short Cale, you are a great RP'er, great organizer, awesome student, brilliant mind and star-fleet owes you gratitude for being a part of it. I will miss our talks...you have comforted me when I hurt, you have picked me up when I was down and for that I will never forget you. Andy Robinson, I have appreciated you sir because you've always talked straight with me. You've not beat around the bush about topics that were perhaps sensitive. You have answered more questions of mine than I'm sure you ever wanted to but I appreciate it just the same. My only regret is we didn't get to RP together on the same ship during my time, but I have heard you are a great RP'er...I wish you luck in your endeavors and thank you. Anthony Martin...ah my beer drinking Canadian friend! I want to thank you for all you have done for me as well in answering questions, chatting with me, talkin about beer! Lol but really you have been a great STF'er and I know you will succeed as the President as it is already evident the change you have brought to the table...good luck to you as well. Tyra Schroll...my lil mouse, to you I also say thank you and I want to remind you to always keep your chin up! You are an excellent RP'er and STF'er. You are a good person with a good heart. You too have listened to me when I was down and picked me up. For that I thank you and I shall miss how the lil mouse cuddles up on the Dragon's foot. :) There are so many other people I want to mention as well but I will just list them quickly: Krys Bromilow, Kevin Rodriguez, Michelle Higdon, TJ Morgan, Steven Sigle, Lindsay Bayes, Mary Church, Cheryl Butler, Helen Hosick, Symon Silvester, Ed Brough, Russell Watt, Amanda Noon, Kevin Harbison, Jason and Jewell White, Brother Geoff Joosten, Amber Hagan, Jack Dipper, Wail Qasim, Jen Herr, Kendra Kerr, Sarah Hemenway and of course I cannot forget Liz Caro and Brian Olinski. All of these people in one form or another have helped me in my STF career, and I thank each and everyone of you for it and wish to extend a special thank you. With all of this being said it is my wish that from this date I be declared officially retired from active Star-fleet status. I don't want to say that I'm resigning because that sounds like I'm a quitter but I believe after 10 years I have had one great career that deserves to be considered retired versus just erased from all STF exsistence. It is my wish that Cale will take over in my stead as FComm-2...I know she hasn't wanted to do it in the past but I know she can and would be great at it. As far as the Polaris...a very near and dear subject to me, I don't know what the rest of the fleets and commanders think of her but she will always be my special lady. I would like someone from the current Polaris crew to take over as Captain. I have a few choices in mind but I am not certain about their thoughts on the subject but Kevin Rodriguez is my most tenured active player on the ship and he is very capable to be a great Captain for the Polaris. Also, Michelle Higdon as Captain would be awesome. She is motivated, a great RP'er, and would do a great job as the CO in my opinion. Of course I will still pop in every now and again on IRC to say hi but my roleplaying days are complete as far as I can tell. I sent a text to my wife of 5 years earlier saying I was writing this letter to you all and she immediately called to say "don't do that! you love star-fleet." I told her "I know, but it just feels as though it is time to step back from it." So, as you can see this is not easy for me at all to part with something that has been an active part of my life for so long. I've always gotten grief for being a star trek fan for one but two for being on a website that acts like we're up in space...but I have always stayed true to what I believe in despite outside pressures because I believe what is done within the confines of this site is great for hundreds of people throughout this world and that cannot be a bad thing. I wish good luck and God speed to you all. I'm not leaving this Earth so you can drop me a line or two to say hey now and again but for now I say good bye, thank you and God Bless.
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: : : Chris "The Dragon" Grinder
: : : (Ret.) Fleet Captain
: : : Fleet Commander of Fleet 2
: : : Commanding Officer, USS Polaris
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: : Wow Chris, this was unexpected. I wish you the best of luck and keep in touch on facebook okay?
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: : You will be missed, you've been on the Polaris for nearly as long as I have! And thank you for all your hard work!
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: : Kat
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: Chris you will be sorely missed. Keep in touch and take care.
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: Lil Mouse

Aw, Chris, we'll miss you! I remember when I first came on the Polly and you were the Captain...it's been great RP'ing with you! The Polly won't be the same without you but hopefully it can continue on! Please keep in touch!! Good luck with everything you do!

Michelle