By JO2 Kimberly R. Stephens

A hundred and twenty years ago, scientists predicted there would be machines heavier than air that could fly. Today we have aircraft that can fly fast enough to break the sound barrier, drop bombs and carry cargo and people. A few decades ago a number of scientists did not believe cloning was possible, but in 1997 Scottish scientists introduced "Dolly" the first cloned sheep.

These examples and many more are proof that we do not always know what is possible or where science or technology can take us." I have always loved science fiction and have been interested in basically anything new," said Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class (AW) Philip Thibodeau, Weapons Department, G-3 Division, aft magazine night check supervisor.

Thibodeau read the fiction book, "The First Immortal" by James Halerpin, in 1999 and that began his interest in cryonics. "The book is about a man who dies and is placed into cryonic suspension and he is reanimated [brought back to life], rejoined his family, and his family of the future, all on his 147th birthday," said Thibodeau. Cryonics is the preservation of legally dead humans or pets at temperatures under minus-200 degrees Fahrenheit with the hope that in the future, science can revive them.

"I began researching this and found there was an institute only 40 miles from my house in Waterford, Mich.," said Thibodeau. "So, I visited and found this was something that I was interested in. I filled out all the paperwork and became a member Nov. 26, 2002. And, after I die or am deanimated I will be frozen."

Diseases and aging result in damage to organs, tissues and cells. "We die because our bodies aren’t perfect," said Thibodeau. "If there is a chance that I can come back alive or re-animated after future technology has been created, I am going to take that chance.

"One of the new technologies being explored is nanotechnology which is basically small machines about the size of the tip of a hair strand that can be injected into the body to repair cellular damage. Right now this research is being conducted and scientists are very close to perfecting it."

Thibodeau was brought up in a Catholic household, so his family did not like the fact that he was not following traditional beliefs. "My mom was furious when I decided to do this. She wouldn’t sign the next of kin form, but she is slowly accepting my decision," he said. "My family still doesn’t agree, but this is what I want and basically I am just donating by body to science."

The number one question people ask Thibodeau is, "Wouldn’t you get bored coming back to life over and over?" to which he replies, "No, it is a second chance at life." "I can come back to life and be a doctor. The next time I can be a firefighter, he explained. Thibodeau smiled and said,

"I could get out of the Navy after 12 years, and 50 years into the future, rejoin and finish out my 20. You just never know."