The Ships of the Fleet gather for a memorial
ceremony for VA Renegade on the SSD Avenger...
(Photo: E-Mailed by Jedi 1137, 6/95)
The Ships of the Fleet gather for a memorial
ceremony for VA Renegade on the SSD Avenger...
(Photo: E-Mailed by Jedi 1137, 6/95)
Vice Admiral Renegade (Pappy Rene), Executive Officer (XO) of the Emperor's Hammer passed away on July 6, 1995, from heart failure during emergency bypass surgery...A brief memorial service was hosted by Grand Admiral Ronin on the SSD Avenger on July 9, 1995...All Emperor's Hammer squadrons and ships are directed to fly all colours and banners at half mast for a period of one month from the posting of this Newsletter...(i.e. until posting of NL 23)...
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife (SwtShell), his children and friends...At the ceremony, VA Renegade was posthumously honored with the EH Medal of Honor...In addition, as requested in the XO's last E-Mail to Grand Admiral Ronin, Pappy was awarded Battle Medals for ALL Medals completed/posted as of July 2, 1995...
Subj: Sir.
Date: 95-07-02 22:24:33 EDT
From: Pappy Rene
To: GA Ronin
<...>I have noticed that I have only recieved (as far as battles go), I only have
1 medal for completing battle -5. I would like to submit myself for the
medals for the rest of the battles that have been completed. Unfortunately
I lost my pilot file, would the word of an honorable VAdm. do I have
completed all missions from the newsletters...
New NL is very good and I think an improvement over our old NL format, much
more compartmentalized, and easier to find those sections that are of interest,
maybe you should get a medal too--:).
New medal section is also first rate<....>
<...>Back to defending the Empire
<SALUTE>
Pappy
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His wife, SwtShell, forwarded me the following note and has given me permission to post it in this Newsletter...It says what we all feel better than any of us could...
"I am very humbled by all your kind words, I didn't realize that Leo had so
very many friends that he had never meet unless It was by modem. Thank you
all, I makes my loss a little easier to take.
Thank you all for everything you have done for him. He was a very modest man
but had a heart as good as gold. I think my brother has some infornmation to
send you for your weekly newsletter. I could send it to you, but I am still
kind of in shock. I found out today that Leo had heart trouble since his
accident, but he hide how bad it was from me and the family. He was like
that, he went through his life as he played the tie Fighter game, with full
blasters going as fast as he could until he accomplished his goals, and
never asking for anything in reture.
He was quick to anger, but a minute later, he was asking if he could help to
people who made him mad., he never sought recognition for anything he did,
and as I understand it, he once turned down the Silver star the navy gives
for bravery, but had to take a bronze star because he was ordered to accept
it.
He served his country for 21 years, and he never regreted it, was in 3 wars
and never complained about it.
Please feel free to honor him in any way that you want , but he was never one
to ask for recognition.
He was a very wonderful father to his and all his stepchildrem and a very
wonderful to all his wives, he had 4 of them. His heart may have killed him
but it was as big as all of Texas.
Thank you one and all again. He will have his ashes scattered in the Pacific
ocean, by his old Helicopter squadron on saturday with a full military
funeral. It will be off the coast of Alameda, California, near Oakland
California. That was the first station his first ship was at. The USS
Oriskany CVA-34.
God Bless all of you for remembering him.
Humbly yours
LaShelle
I am going to retire his AOL name tonight, and also DivBomber too.
Fleet Commander's Note:
One another sad note, SwtShell also resigned her commission in the Hammer on July 14, 1995...She will be missed as well...My best wishes to her family and Leo's friends...
Subj: I'm leaving
Date: 95-07-14 18:43:06 EDT
From: SwtShell
I feel that I must go away and start another life I won't be having access to
a computer so I must sign off for good.
I have lost my husband and my closest sister this year, so I am going to
Colorado. Please pass on to your members my very heartfelt thanks for being
their for me and my family in my hour of tragedy.
My best to all of you, keep killing rebels.
LaShelle Steel (Boyd)