Summit, real, live summit finally happened! June 3-5 we invaded Beaumont, TX, and had an amazing time!
Three years in the making, an effort started by the USS Endurance, before anyone had ever heard of COVID – and the USS Zavala kept the dream alive, and made it happen. Folks started arriving as early as Thursday night. The party was on!
By Friday more where showing up – but it was more than just registration and meet at the bar or room parties. Region 3 (and guests) practiced for the Final Mission detail – but also filmed it for the upcoming Virtual IC! And yes, that is the Commander, STARFLEET – Steve Parmley there with us, to receive the flag.
Friday night ended with the 3rd Brigade Mess Dress – an amazing and fun time had by all. Even the bar tender was getting into it! During such a ‘prestigious’ dinner, with many honored guests, games were had, led by Madam Vice-President of the Mess Tracy Clark. The grog and hacks flowed, marines got to show of their war skills – and even cross train to attempt others, all in the name of good fun and comradery. No better way to kick off a summit!
Saturday morning was filled with awards, an announcements – followed by many an awesome panel. Uniforms, Marine Muster and Klingons were but a few of the offerings. Several members of KAG (Klingon Assault Group) from all over Cold Revenge Fleet (Their version of a Region), joined us and made the event special.
Romulans too! Oh My! 
The Evening had us all enjoying the Admirals Banquet – with not only the current, but also a former Commander, STARFLEET – Fran Booth! That led to Region 3 annual awards and the Charity auction (Jeffrey Lord once again proved quite animated, and effective in this role!).
Overall, (with some late additions Sunday morning from some generous donors), STARFLEET Region 3 raised $4000 for the Children’s Miracle Network – and Paid the bills!
About $600 of those dollars came from Steve Parmley’s suggestion that he, and I take a pie to the face. $200 to make each pie happen, then we auctions off the privilege to throw them.
Steve’s own wife outbid everyone to smash some banana cream pie into his face, while he figured our time on the board together meant he had to deliver me a chocolate cream pie…up close and personal. This all taking place Sunday morning, after closing ceremonies.
Gaming also happened Saturday night – and I got to play! This event was so well run by Lucy and her crew from the USS Zavala, that, as RC, I got to simply enjoy much more of the summit than I typically can – including a fantastic game of Star Trek Adventures!
All in all – it was a great event, long overdue, but one could tell everyone was excited to be together again. STARFLEET is family – dysfunctional at times yes; but at the end of the day it was being back together that was the best part. We all helped each other, from various distances and methods get through the last two years – and for this fun summit weekend – it’s like we had never been apart.
Again, so many thanks to the crew of the USS Zavala and members of KAG for making this a remarkable, and treasured event.
