The Military Sci-Fi Media track kicked off their celebration of the 15th/40th anniversary of the Battlestar Galactica franchise Friday morning at 10AM in the Westin Peachtree Ballroom. This was initially slated to be a guest panel, but some last-minute cancellations meant a switch to a fan-based discussion, lead by MSFM Director and Co-Director James and Karen Henson, as well as Daniel Summers, Jr.

A large part of the discussion centered on earliest fan memories of the show. Also discussed was the feeling surrounding the ending of the reimagined series. Fans ranged from those who watched the original series live on a television with only four channels to those who found the reimagined series in reruns. There are also those who are sharing the series with their children. The general consensus, of course, was that BSG was influential in their lives and culture—no matter their generation or country of origin.

Tribute was paid to the late Richard Hatch—BSG legend and star and a long-time Dragon Con fan favorite—and his influence on the series and the fans.

There were even questions from viewers of the Battlestar Galactica fan club’s livestream of the panel. You can find the fan club at www.battlestarfanclub.com or www.facebook.com/bfcfanclub2000. (Fan club information courtesy of Leslie Willis, BFC Deputy Vice President and livestream hostess.)

Happy Anniversary to the timeless and ground-breaking military sci-fi series Battlestar Galactica—both original and reimaged.