Looking forward...

“Almost all the people who’ve had the most effect on me I seem to have met by chance, yet looking back it seems as though I couldn’t but have met them.” 

Somerset Maugham, The Razor's Edge

Looking forward as we start Miramar's third year of operations, I find myself looking back and it seems to me as well I could not be here today but for those I met by chance and the effect they had on me. Some of them now live in memories I hold dear to my heart, never forgotten, always with the hope of a return, a wave of the hand and a smile that will make the long absence feel like just a few hours passed since we last bid each other farewell (1). They keep me moving forward too. But the ones that remain and share this dream with me are the true keepers of this flame that burns now for two years in Miramar, and the guardians of a new dawn yet still to come. This cause and effect seems to prove there is after all a thing called fate, as Larry Darrel reminisced in "The Razor's Edge", even if it needs us to make it happen after we find it. Chance is but a choice.

Another year has passed. Another plaque awaits unveiling next to the one that marks the first year of operations of Naval Air Station Miramar in Tuarua Fiji. And unveiled it shall be on the 13th of this month of January, the same day Miramar was set in the place where it stands now, two years ago (2). One has but to go through the pages of this weblog to see how full and rewarding they were, and why this place is magical to some of us. Hopefully it will remain so for years to come, but for me, as it was up to this day, it all comes down to tomorrow. So I look forward.

Third Fleet is now stable and well defined (3). The ones serving in it are like minded individuals pushing towards a common goal who find the time and effort spent on this journey to be rewarding. Inevitably others who have similar concepts are drawn near and some will consider joining. Little steps. Sure steps. There is no secret in keeping a group alive, all you need is to enjoy what you do and share that experience with others. And keep it simple. With this in mind our objectives as a fleet are defined by our locations' purposes. The roles complementing those missions are available all around us from many sources in the Naval Service world that spans throughout all of Second Life and counts hundreds, perhaps thousands of enthusiasts. Some we found keen to pursuit the same ideal we do: the honorable portrayal of real life Naval Service, reflecting our passion for aviation and the sea.

It was with great pleasure that we watched as a ten year old Coast Guard institution in Second Life decided to take the next step and become the mirror of the United States Coast Guard in Second Life. Under the command of Admiral Toxic Lemon, the Virtual Coast Guard is becoming (Virtual) United States Coast Guard (4), thus joining the United States naval service in SL. Just the same, former SL Marines determined to renew the flame of service are showing that ideals belong to no one and no one group. Such is valid for all - Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. It is not the name that defines us, but our actions. How we respect one another and those who serve with us, how we respect ourselves and the rank we have by being ourselves, and staying in character even when out of it by merely showing who we are at all times. Our character or lack there of is what defines our role, not the other way around (5). This to state a simple truth: no matter how good a role player you are, if you have no character you will never last "in character". So we move forward.

Real life plays a big part in all this and it is seldom easy. Were it not for the support of our crew and our friends, who help keep Miramar steady on its course, we would have had to make some hard choices to keep moving on, but make no mistake move on we shall. My deepest gratitude to all of you who have consistently made this day possible and try to make tomorrow possible as well. I would be at fault, however, not to single out CAPT. Vickster Kühn and LCDR. An Rainbow as the most generous donors of Miramar. In the end, this is how you know if what you do is worth while.

All I see around me reflects hard work, not just mine but that of others. It all comes down to how much you put into a project, and Third Fleet is lucky to have such a fine crew. This is often mistaken as a weakness, but it is our core strength, as the fruit of our effort is the best showcase for those who wish to follow in our footsteps and the best fail safe to keep those who want it easy at bay. We are now in the eve of great things, from the arrival of Shana Carpool's new F/A-18 Hornets to both the Blue Angels and VF-154 (at last!) (6) to the establishment of a USMC detachment in Third Fleet (7). Let us not go gentle into that good night and onward together then, against the dying of the light.

Have a wonderful 2018. Go Navy! Hooyah!

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NASMCO / TFCOM

Notes:
(1) VF-84's Last Patrol of 2016
(2) One Year Plaque Unveiling - Gold & Blue Day 2017
(3) Fight the Future
(4) Virtual USCG Facebook page
(5) Burning Bridges
(6) New Hornets close to Demo Ready Version
(7) The Proud and the Few...