U.S. Army Europe Soldiers go where no one has gone before in Germany

By Spc. Glenn M. Anderson, U.S. Army Europe Public AffairsFebruary 26, 2014

U.S. Army Europe Soldiers go where no one has gone before in Germany
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U.S. Army Europe Soldiers go where no one has gone before in Germany
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U.S. Army Europe Soldiers go where no one has gone before in Germany
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FRANKFURT, Germany -- Steven E. Mckean (left) and William A. Castro (middle) information assurance officers assigned with U.S. Army Europe, 5th Signal Command, , and James P. Rink (right), a network analyst with 5th Signal Command, pose for a photo i... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Europe Soldiers go where no one has gone before in Germany
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FRANKFURT, Germany -- William Shatner (left), who played the role of Capt. James T. Kirk on the original Star Trek series, speaks with cast members of Star Trek: the Next Generation during a Next Generation reunion ceremony at Destination Star Trek G... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FRANKFURT, Germany -- Thousands of fans filed inside the Frankfurt Messe Convention Hall to attend the first Star Trek convention in Germany, Destination Star Trek Germany, Feb. 21- Feb. 23.

The three-day event offered fans the opportunity to receive autographs and have photos taken with show's cast, such as William Shatner, who played the role of Capt. James T. Kirk on the original Star Trek series, Marina Sirtis, who played the role of counselor Diana Troy on Star Trek: the Next Generation and many others familiar to fans.

From a Klingon play area and Borg recharging module area, and a mock bridge of the USS Enterprise, the event gave fans a full 'Star Trek' experience.

"I am a huge Star Trek fan," said Sgt. Emily J. Recchia, an oboe player with U.S. Army Europe Band and Chorus based in Sembach, Germany. "This is my seventh or eighth convention. I am hoping to have my picture taken with Brent Spiner."

Throughout the event, cast appeared on stage and spoke to their crowds of fans for about 45 minutes.

Spiner, who played the role of Data on Star Trek: the Next Generation was one of several guest speakers at the event, took time to send greetings to all the service members serving in Germany as well as around the world

Some of the actors recalled their past memories of having families and relatives in Germany.

"Being in a military family as a child put the wanderlust in me," said LeVar Burton, who played the role of Jordy on Star Trek: the Next Generation. Burton was born in Landstuhl, Germany and lived in Hanau as a military family member before getting into acting.

"I think it made me pretty resilient, moving around as much as we did," Burton told the crowd. "You always had to find a new best friend within the first five or 10 minutes of being in a new school.

While a little overwhelming, it was a great opportunity for fans to experience their past in a way that they could have never imagined.

"This is a distinctive opportunity to meet with actors and fans that share my love of 'Star Trek'," said Steven E. McKean, an information assurance officer assigned with 5th Signal Command. "There were many wonderful actors at the event, but the highlight for me was exchanging warm words with William Shatner during my photo session with him."

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