Happy Birthday ESB from Carlist Rieekan

Beyond the glory of the leaders behind all the big decisions of political leaders, are the leaders of the rest the advisers to the politicians the generals. Generals are of a unique position. Somewhere between the run of the mill military operations and obligations and lurking just in the political curtain. Vying for things they and/or their troops need in order to achieve their goals.

A player, general Carlist Rieekan worked very hard to maintain this balance in the chaotic circle that was the rebellion. Ever vigilant and ever practical, Rieekan's keen ability to play the line led him to renown victories both on and off the battlefield.

Best know for his brilliant evacuation and battle strategy at Echo Base on the planet Hoth,in which he was able to get almost all safely out of danger, Rieekan was just seventeen when he entered in to a lifetime military career. A surviving member of the destroyed planet Alderaan, Rieekan was off planet at the time of the attack, encompassed in an evacuation effort. He then joined the Alliance as a line officer.

Hoth was not Rieekan's only evacuation success. Tiems, and Dankayo are also among his list of successes.

Such previous experience lead Rieekan to almost be fated to be the commander of Echo Base. His previous experience was a huge factor, which is why so many were able to escape. If this had gone any differently, I am positive that there would have been far more casualties then as it turned out, possibly involving a main charater.

While the main idea and storyline of ESB is about growth and how to take setbacks, it takes strong supporters and leaders to help the main characters along in their journey and the whole story's journey as a whole. If only one person or group had all the answers, all the tools, and could fix everything at the drop of a hat, there would be no place for anyone else. Leaders like Rieekan gave me a feeling of depth to the world and the things that were taking place. It was not just in some small bubble, it was a vast conflict that affected everyone of every kind and personality.

Of the short amount of time we get to see Carlist Rieekan, we are lucky enough to see him at his military best, most vulnerable and his worst, in a way. We see his wonderful Echo Base beautifly carved and maintained, his best at strategy, maintaining order and calm, and well as his vulnerability, at having to shut out Han Solo and wait to send out a search party, and the look in his eye and the sound of his voice when he realizes that in order to continue the alliance, they must all evacuate.

I see nothing is this man's charater that should change. he is caring, a lover of peace, but someone who also understands that there are some cases where one MUST fight on order to keep any chance or hope pf peace alive. If there were more people like this man in our military, our government today, the world very well could be a different place.

So, we say a happy borthday to a fine leader and to all his accomplishments, both before, during and after the pivotal Battle of Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back.