February 14, 2099 -- Weekly Update ***Unclassified***

First off Happy Valentine's Day! I know things are very dark, but normality cannot be allowed to completely slip from our mind even in these trying times. We've all worked with disaster survivors before and must accept that in this case we are both survivors and the only source of relief for our troubled nations.

Tonight there will be our grand Valentine's Dance in the west gymnasium and I encourage you all to attend as time permits and at least briefly. We all understand that there is no reason for a party, but this is a rough year and we must fake it until we make it in terms of letting in happiness anywhere we can. Special thanks to the motor pool who will be using several of our special purpose vehicles to provide sound and light, the shelter pharmacy team for coordinating libations, the mess teams for several special surprises, and everyone who diligently searched their personal effects for our music selection.

Two notes:
  1. Normal regulations on fraternization are not, and will not be set aside. I do not have the authority to do so and this would not fit under my general authority "in case of emergency to do whatever is necessary to maintain life, order, and the effectiveness of their command." To all our volunteers, please do consider that workplace romances are not a laughing matter in the military, we have to trust each other with our lives and cannot let personal matters interfere. Your sergeants can inform you of the proper decorum for military balls.
  2. I must caution all of you against getting too comfortable. Although we are doing an incredible job of holding our little patch of ground it is not actually a very useful piece of territory and we should all expect to combine and relocate with other NEMA forces.

Suzanne Wood
Lt. Colonel
Cm Battalion 45
Commanding