Greetings:

This is the first Official USS Tranquility NCC-1602-A Newsletter, The Comm Line. I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome the crew aboard our new Vessel, the Franklin Class Cruiser. I believe we have a very space-worthy crew who will and have started to take this ship above and beyond the call of duty. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the ship and expand your knowledge of Starfleet Operations.
I hope that this printed forum will grow into something that will be entertaining for everyone and contain items that will help educate others and ourselves. I believe with enough contributions to this newsletter, we can create something to be proud of.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any problems. Again, as the Commanding Officer of the USS Tranquility, I would like to welcome you aboard.
Captain Franklin D Rogers

The USS Tranquility 1602-A - Built by the Pirate Republic

This Vessel has changed to the Franklin Class Starship and is dedicated to Dr. Stephen Franklin of Babylon 5 Station (Played By Richard Biggs, who was born on Mar 18, 1960.  He left us much too early on May 22, 2004). This class of Cruiser is a Multiple Role vessel, with the ability to adapt to certain situations with ease. The new Franklin Class Multiple Role Cruiser can be set-up or converted quickly into the following types: Medical, Escort, Interceptor, Scout, Border Patrol, Interdiction, Destroyer, and Light Cruiser Vessels or as a Troop, Diplomatic or Personnel Transport.

Franklin Class Cruisers have an excellent balance of offensive capabilities and defensive systems in conjunction with a sleek low profile design that makes it harder for enemy vessels to target this class.
Designed for either functioning as an independent vessel or as part of a battle group, the Franklin Class was built small and maneuverable enough to combat fighters, but large and sturdy enough to face off against capital ships.  The Franklin Class Cruiser will prove itself to be a deadly warship capable of combating modern warships up to fourteen times her size or performing simple peace-keeping duties.

Over the past - By Captain Franklin D Rogers

In July 2004, the USS Tranquility had only four personnel assigned.  Commander Franklin Rogers, Lieutenant Ian Pryor, Lieutenant Franklin Rogers and Lieutenant Chae Rogers. Since then we have grown in leaps and bounds to fourteen personnel. We have seen one of our past members renew membership and was awarded the rank of Lieutenant in our very first meeting. In July/Aug, I entered a small article in the Daily News, which actually started our growth. Then in October we were interviewed by the Daily News, pictures taken, then placed in the Sunday paper on October 17 2004. This further publicized the club/ship and more crew was added to bring us up to the current number.

In August 2004, we moved our meetings from TBS Comics to the Book and Game Emporium, hoping that the exposure there would also add crewmembers. The move was also due to space constraints and noise factors that we had at TBS Comics. Rose, the owner of TBS Comics, was willing to accommodate us as much as she could, but she just could not. The Command crew was hailed by a local Hospice center with a request. They had a patient that was having a birthday and he was an avid Star Trek fan. They wanted to know if we could come to visit him on his birthday in Uniform, which, we quickly accepted. On that day, Daryl was thoroughly surprised with our visit and it seemed that he was very happy. After talking to his parents, they did say that we made his day.

In September 2004, then Captain Chris Brinkman (Starbase 04 Commander), then Commander Franklin Rogers, and Lieutenant Ian Pryor attended DragonCon held in Atlanta. While there, Commander Franklin Rogers was promoted to Captain. They had to cut the convention short by one day because of Hurricane Ivan. All members had fun taking many pictures and began to make plans to attend the one in 2005. All members came through Hurricane Ivan with some having more damage than others.
During this time, due to personal reasons, Lieutenant Commander Ian Pryor had to request reassignment to Starbase 04. He will be missed, but he has an invitation to return when he is able or wants to.

This month, Feb 2005, we have instituted a First Officer/Executive Officer training program to train members of the crew that have a desire to be in Command. This training will continue until each interested member has been trained. As we have no First Officer, at the end of the training period, there will be another appointed. We have highly motivated personnel assigned and I see us moving in directions that will make the name of the USS Tranquility and those aboard her, a common name in the local communities.

From the Conn - By Captain Franklin D Rogers

Here is a list of some of our goals as have been discussed at previous meetings:

1.) Attend as many meeting/social events/community involvement as possible
2.) Increase membership base
3.) Become more active in the Fleet
4.) Become an integral part of the Local Community i.e. fund raisers etc

More goals, both short and long range, will be added as time goes on. At the present time, recruitment has been by word of mouth and the Daily News.

Unsung Heroes of the Search and Rescue World - By Emily, Chief of Search and Rescue

Search and rescue dogs have a long and noble history; perhaps the most famous of them all is the Saint Bernard (Switzerland's Saint Bernard). This illustrious dog began its career as a search and rescue dog during the seventeenth century. This amazing dog has been attributed with saving more then 2,000 people over the past 200 years. One of the most famous Saints Bernard's is Barry; he is said to have saved more than 40 lives. Barry lived from 1800 - 1814; one of the most famous stories told about Barry, is about him saving a young boy who was lost. It is said that he dragged the boy with his arms hanging around his neck back to the monastery. In honor of him there is always one Saint Bernard named Barry at the monastery where he use to live.

Sadly though it seems that the Saint Bernard days as a search and rescue dog is over, at least in the Swiss Alps. Due to modern technology, such as helicopters, which have little room for large dogs, they are being replaced with smaller and speeder dogs such as the golden retriever and German shepherd. The last time a Saint Bernard was used on a mission was 1975. The dogs though are still kept around at least during the summer tourist season. In 2004 the monks decided to sell the dogs but to associations not individuals and their new owners would be required to allow the dogs to return during the summer seasons. Even though Saint Bernard’s will no longer be rescuing people they deserve to be remembered and honored as heroes of the canine world.

First Social for the USS Tranquility - By Linda, Chief Communications Officer

On Stardate 13428 (February 26, 2005), the USS Tranquility had its first of many Family Fun Nights. It was held in Choctaw’s Home Economics room which contained television and video equipment to make for a festive evening.  All but a few crewmembers who were on away missions, were present for the event.  There were more Star Trek games than I have ever seen before, from Monopoly to Uno.

When I arrived the crew was playing a rousing game of Star Trek Trivia. I sat in for Captain Frank Rogers and was amazed at how knowledgeable our Chief Medical Officer, Woody was. And I thought I was good. I would even wager some Andorian Brandy that he could beat the best in the fleet at Star Trek Trivia. A beautiful cake in the shape of our ship was made by Cindy and Emily of our Search and Rescue Division. I myself brought some Denarian Loon Eggs for appetizers and a glorious spread was put on with vegetarian lasagna, spaghetti, bread, salad and of course cake and drinks for dessert. 

After the cake cutting ceremony we enjoyed a toast made by Commodore Chris Brinkman of Starbase 04 with some Romulan Ale (it was blue) brought by our Captain then relaxed while watching some vintage Trek, staring none other than Joan Collins. Can you name this episode based in the 1920's? We also watched a tape I recorded I believe in 1996, on Star Trek conventions and the making of the last episode of Star Trek the Next Generation.  Then of course came the clean up and pack up of the party. A great time was had by all and we can't wait to plan our next get together. As our ship grows so do we, by the sharing, caring and knowledge of our shipmates. 

Counselor’s Corner - By Lori, Ship’s Counselor

My goal for this section of our newsletter is to provide some useful information pertaining to psychology, sociology, and any of those other touchy, fuzzy, social sciences.  The subject of this month’s article is Naval Psychiatry.  Like so many other things in the Trek universe, having counselors aboard 24th century starships is based on 21st century practices. Since Star Trek is based loosely on naval tradition, I thought it would be interesting to read a little of what life was like before Deanna Troi and Ezri Dax. Ship differs from shore and the challenges of shipboard life make life different for sailors.  The Vikings of the early middle ages were sea warriors who bequeathed the term ‘berserk’ for a peculiar battle frenzy by which they were seized (probably enhanced by mead—beer fermented from honey). In the early Renaissance, communities loaded their maladaptors, for a fee, on ships (the ship of fools) for transport to unknown destinations.

Sailors in the 16th through 19th centuries manned great fleets which conquered the world. Their crews are suspected of spreading syphilis that was a major cause of mental illness and other diseases which proved devastating to previously unexposed populations.  Many showed the weakness, irritability, and depression associated with scurvy. Crews had general ill health so mental troubles alone did not stand out.  . In the 20th Century improvements in nutritional knowledge and food handling greatly improved the physical health of naval forces with concomitant mental health improvement.  During World War II psychiatric diagnoses in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps were common with some 150,000 patients being admitted for psychiatric illness, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.  While at sea, nurses often acted as crisis counselors until such time that sailors could see psychiatrists on shore.

There were few psychiatrists in the U.S. Navy, or for that matter in the country, until World War II. In 1940, the U.S. Navy had 10 Regular Navy psychiatrists doing clinical work and 7 in training; a total of about 25 medical officers performed neurology and psychiatry duties.  The neuropsychiatric branch at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery was established in 1942. Dr. Francis Braceland took charge of U.S. Navy Psychiatry in World War II, initially as a special assistant to the Surgeon General, and subsequently as the Head of the Neuropsychiatric Branch.  The number of psychiatrists reached a maximum of 693 at the end of World War II. Out of the wartime training programs grew the current U.S. Navy psychiatry residency programs. The Neuropsychiatry Branch at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery lasted some 35 years through several name and mission changes until 1977. A few years later a system of specialty advisors to the Surgeon General was put in place and the Specialty Advisor for Psychiatry (SAP) has been a focal point for U.S. Navy psychiatry since that time.

Today, the Navy employs about 120 military psychologists, of whom 75 percent work in medical facilities worldwide, and 25 percent serve directly with operational units, including aircraft carriers. Carriers were selected because each has a large medical facility that serves not only the thousands of personnel on board, but the crews of all of the ships attached to its battle group. Other Navy ships, in contrast, often have room aboard for only one medical staffer.  The role of the psychologist at sea is similar to that of the shore-based psychologist, with the average caseload centering on behavioral and emotional adjustment around personal and work issues.

However, the seagoing psychologist deals with some unique shipboard issues including marital and family problems caused by long separations, as well as adjustments to loss of privacy and long work hours. The most common types of problems sailors experience include anger, anxiety and depression, including suicidal ideation. Having a psychologist on board not only cuts down the cost of having to evacuate a sailor for a psychological evaluation on shore, but also provides opportunities for health promotion and early intervention. Such services include classes on anger management, stress management and suicide prevention.  Even when a mental health professional is not onboard, teleconferencing software allows sailors to receive counseling from a distance. Mental health accounts for a quarter of the "air" time dedicated to telemedicine aboard ship.

Notes from the Science Lab: Meteor Showers - By Valerie, Chief Science Officer

Being earthbound does not prevent us from enjoying the beauty and wonder that space has to offer.  One of my favorite astronomical events is the annual meteor shower. A meteor is an object ranging from the size of a dust particle to a large rock.  Most meteors are thought to have originated from comets as their debris trail, and since comets move through our solar system on highly elliptical orbits, these meteors are also in orbital tracks, though not always the same track as the comet.

These meteor objects enter the Earth’s atmosphere when the Earth’s orbit intersects the orbit of the meteor stream, creating a meteor shower.  Once in the atmosphere, the meteor is heated by friction created by air resistance, and hence, becomes a ‘shooting star’ or ‘falling star’. Since the meteors are in an orbit that intersects Earth’s orbit, we see predictable major meteor showers annually at various times during the year.  A major meteor shower could have anywhere from 30 meteors per hour to 80 meteors per hour.  There minor meteor showers each month as well.

My favorite meteor shower is the Geminid, which occurs in December.  These meteors actually are from an asteroid instead of a comet.  Prior to the mid-80’s, you could lay anywhere on the beach and get a spectacular view of this shower, as the winter nights were so clear.  One year, when I in my teens, we counted over 36 meteors per hour. The best time to view meteor showers is later in the night, between midnight to dawn.  They can be seen over a period of days, but there is usually one best night where the activity peaks.  The Perseids in August and Geminids in December are usually considered the two most active meteor showers to observe.

What You Should Know About Viral Infections Like a Cold or Flu - By Woody, Chief Medical Officer

A viral infection is caused by any of several different viruses, which cannot be cured with antibiotics. Examples of viral infections are colds and flu. Common symptoms are nasal congestion, weakness, fatigue, cough, headache, fever, aching muscles, nasal discharge and watery eyes. When someone with a cold or flu coughs or sneezes, droplets containing the virus are easily passed from person to person through touch or inhalation through the nose or mouth.

There is no vaccine (so far in the 21st century) that will prevent a cold. A flu vaccine is recommended for those at risk such as persons 50 years or older or persons with a chronic illness. Because the flu virus varies slightly from year to year, it is important for those at risk to get a flu shot annually. Other ways to prevent or reduce the risk of a cold or flu: maintain a healthy diet, WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AND OFTEN, drink plenty of fluids, get adequate rest and DO NOT share personal items like toothpaste, drinking cups and eating utensils with other people or members of the same household.

Call your doctor if you have concerns about a fever, cough, breathing problems or chest pain, sore throat, runny nose, headache, earache or facial pain and symptoms that do not improve or worsen. If you do get a cold or flu, antibiotics will not fight it. Antibiotics are effective only for bacterial infections. Treatment, including over the-counter medications, will not cure the cold or flu, but will help you feel better until your body's defenses control the virus.  Drink plenty of fluids, take a pain reliever, for headaches and muscle aches as recommended by your doctor, get plenty of rest, avoid smoking, and if possible use a cool mist humidifier. GOOD HEALTH TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND.....LIVE LONG AND PROSPER!!!!!