Everyone,
The dramatic changes in my life over the last few years - leaving the USAF, moving, joining ANOVOS (a group of people I consider family at this point), and all the new friendships I've made - all started with a desire to see the Original USS ENTERPRISE miniature restored to its former glory.
On September 8th 2011 the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum put up their annual STAR TREK post with a picture of the "restored" USS ENTERPRISE. Concerned about her physical condition far more than simply her cosmetics, I ended up in a conversation with Michael Okuda who explained the situation to me and challenged me to do something about it.
The next day I messaged and then called Steve Neill who in turn introduced me to Doug Drexler. Within a couple of weeks Mike had contacted NASM and at his behest they took a good hard look at the Enterprise and her condition.
Shortly after that I started the private Facebook group and started gathering people to the Enterprise's cause making even more friends along the way, many of whom I can count among my own friends today.
Those first little steps from passive STAR TREK viewer and fan to active participant emboldened me and so when my relationship with ANOVOS came to a point where it was time to go from a passive customer and fan to active participant I was ready.
And so here we are a few very busy years later. As an international fan base we are rapidly approaching the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek, and personally I have a new and incredible career serving inside the franchise I have loved my whole life.
While family commitments, my ANOVOS responsibilities, and my larger hopes and plans for STAR TREK's enduring future have limited my personal involvement in the Enterprise's restoration, I can't help but feel a sense of pride (and choke back a small tear or two) seeing the images of the old girl being moved to "dry dock" for my long dreamed of restoration.
It was with a desire to see this very event happen that my life has changed around me and in no small way I have the ENTERPRISE herself to thank.
Good luck and Godspeed to Adam Schneider, The Physical Restoration Team and anybody associated with The Enterprise’s Restoration, and thanks to everybody who worked so hard to get to this point, with special thanks to Steve Neill who helped me get the ball rolling.
John