By Steve Krutzler / 20:12, 31 August 2004 / TrekWeb Features

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"For Jimmy It's The Least We Could Do"
By Jacqueline Bundy

James Montgomery Doohan is a man who has always truly appreciated, even loved his fans. They in turn have adored him. So it is only appropriate that the fans themselves played a significant role in making the "Beam Me Up, Scotty... One Last Time", tribute such a special and successful event. Fans traveled from around the country, paying their own expenses, to volunteer as staff and assure that this event was as special as possible and was truly a fitting send off for their beloved "Scotty".

Southern California has a large and active fan community and the local fans really did themselves proud. Only fitting since the event was held in the heart of Hollywood at the beautiful Renaissance Hotel. Members of the Los Angeles based group U.S.S. Angeles and the San Diego club ComstationZ pitched in doing whatever was needed no matter what the task. Whether they were local or had traveled hundreds miles, among those volunteers I had an opportunity to speak to the attitude was the same when it came to the long backbreaking hours they put in over the past few days: "For Jimmy it's the least we could do."

This special event kicked off on Friday, August 27th at Scotty's Star Party where celebrities mixed with the fans at a lovely event that featuring the music of James Doohan's son Chris and his band who were joined for a while by Tim Russ to rock the joint. Although his frail health has confined him to a wheelchair, Jimmy mingled with the fans for as long as he could manage and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

Saturday brought a full day of programming that celebrated the life of the cherished actor and the impact his character has had on society and three generations of fans around the globe. Scientists and engineers spoke of how his character motivated their discoveries. His fellow actors spoke of Doohan's professionalism, integrity, loyalty and kindnesses. Writers and artists talked about being inspired by his supportive and encouraging attitude and the fans shared stories of their encounters with a man who always made time for them, no matter how busy or exhausted he was, and would cheerfully travel anywhere at any time if they asked him to.

At one point on Saturday, as he was pushed in his wheelchair through a hall, Jimmy
reached out to shake the hands of every person he passed. It was a sight that the fans there will not soon forget.

That evening a large banquet was held in Jimmy's honor to raise funds for Alzheimer's research at the Grand Ballroom at the Hollywood and Highland complex that houses the Kodak Theater. The room was filled to capacity with over 600 guests as Jimmy arrived with his family escorted by bagpipe music. After being introduced by Master of Ceremonies Walter Koenig ('Chekov'), Wil Wheaton ('Wesley') kicked off the evening's tribute by saying "Tonight we honor and celebrate our friend James Doohan."

Referring to this summer's announcement by the Doohan family that Jimmy was suffering from Alzheimer disease Wheaton said that when he heard the news it "felt like a member of my family had been diagnosed." Wheaton spoke of the ongoing battle to find effective treatments for the degenerative neurological disease that afflicts millions around the world, "We're not quite there yet, but we're getting close. They say it may take ten years but we'll do it for you in four."

As Mr. Koenig kept things moving along occasionally contributing humorous, and occasionally slightly ribald anecdotes from his and Jimmy's convention travels. Nichelle Nichols said that "friendship with this guy has its prices" as she joked about occasions when Jimmy made her late.

Chase Masterson commented that "it was such and honor to be part of this celebration of Jimmy's life" before serenading Jimmy with a fun and upbeat rendition of "Latinum Is a Girl's Best Friend". Robert O'Reilly ('Gowron') and J.G. Hertzler ('Martok') presented their personal tribute in Klingon to the man credited with inventing the language with O'Reilly saying "he gave us our language and tonight we give him thanks."

In addition to his cast mates and stars from the various trek series among those paying tribute to Jimmy was Neil Armstrong who after being introduced by Nichelle Nichols ('Uhura') said that although he had "ridden on thirteen different missions, and I had the privilege of commanding three, none of them had warp drive. I'm hoping for my next command to be given a Federation starship, and I would like to have a crew like Captain Kirk had." Doing his best "Scotty" impersonation Mr. Armstrong concluded his tribute by adding, "I have a confession to make... I am an engineer. From one old engineer to another, thanks Scotty."

Eugene Roddenberry, Jr. spoke close friendship between his father Gene Roddenberry and Doohan and about how much that friendship meant to his father. "STAR TREK exists because of the fans and the cast," Roddenberry stated, "On behalf of the Roddenberry family, thank you Jimmy."

The tribute continued on Sunday with appearances by Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner. Sunday's crowd was even larger than Saturday's, at times it seemed as if the media outnumbered the fans. Sunday afternoon Jimmy and his family held a press conference and although Jimmy himself didn't say much his wife Wende and several of his grown children spoke for the family and expressed their gratitude to the fans.

The highlight of Sunday afternoon was the Grand Finale in the large ballroom that was literally standing room only. After a brief video presentation of clips filled with scenes of the wit and wisdom of Montgomery Scott and several fan appreciations Jimmy's cast mates took the stage where they were joined by Neil Armstrong before Jimmy was helped on stage by two of his sons. There he sat, among those who loved him, with a huge smile on his face blowing kisses to the large throng who gave him a long and thunderous ovation.

After the exertions of the busy weekend Jimmy rested on Monday while George Takei graciously stood in for him at events at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum and Tuesday morning the event that his family and fans have worked long and hard for at last took place. James Doohan received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the 2261st such star presented. "We're just very proud to honor dad with this star," said his son, Chris Doohan. "A lot of Star Trek fans helped us out with this."

Considering what James Doohan, who will forever be our "Miracle Worker," means to so many people around the world, "For Jimmy it's the least we could do."

Update: 9/1: Additional photos courtesy of 'Chief Gary'. Thanks!