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Mars Analog Research Stations Task Force
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Translife / Mars Gravity Biosatellite
The Mars Society Measure of Readiness
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Mars Society - Baghdad Chapter?
Once again, members of the Washington, D.C. chapter of the Mars Society are serving their country in a war zone. Colonel Blake Ortner is serving as a Deputy Brigade Commander with the Virginia Army National Guard and Captain Joe Webster of the Army Reserves as a member of the Judge Advocate General's Corps. Both men are currently serving in Baghdad.
Col. Blake Ortner and Capt Joe Webster stand under the grand chandelier of Al-Faw Palace (also known as the 'Water Palace'). This palace was built by Saddam Hussein to commemorate the re-taking of the Al-Faw Peninsula during the Iran-Iraq War.
As many of you know, Blake and Joe are key players with the Mars Society Political Task Force and were instrumental in organizing the 2006 Mars Society Convention in Washington. During that event, Blake served as chairman of the Convention and Joe was in charge of sponsorships. Thanks to their efforts, the DC convention was a tremendous success.
When they are not serving their country (or the Mars Society) they both work in Washington, D.C. Blake is an Associate Legislative Director for Paralyzed Veterans of America where he spends innumerable hours on Capitol Hill lobbying Congress on behalf of paralyzed veterans. Joe is an attorney with Hobbs, Straus, Dean, and Walker in Washington, D.C. where he specializes in Indian gaming, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, and tax issues related to native Americans.
One would think that being in a war zone would end their participation with the Mars Society. This is not the case. Unlike most wars of the past, email connects us all from every part of the world. While other duties tend to take them away for periods of time, they still participate in our email discussions and provide valuable opinions and advice.
Many may recall that a few years ago that then-Lt. Col. Blake Ortner served as a battalion commander in Afghanistan, fighting the Taliban and al Qaeda. Even from the mountains of Afghanistan, in a hand-made dwelling, in the middle of winter, Blake remained an active member of the Mars Society. At the time, he compared his service in Afghanistan to the risks of space exploration. "I place myself at risk everyday in combat for something I believe is right. I believe the astronauts will also accept the risk they face. If they are not up to facing the risk, train me, I will do the mission. I believe the potential for rewards makes the risk worth it."
I think it goes without saying that if we had more people as committed to the Mars cause as Col. Ortner and Capt. Webster, we would be landing people on Mars far sooner than is currently planned.
Good luck, Blake and Joe. Stay safe and we hope to see you soon.
