Remembering Pearl Harbor: The USS Arizona Memorial

 

It was eighty-four years ago today when the Japanese Empire launched a surprise attack on the US Pacific Fleet at the Navy base Pearl Harbor at Oahu Hawaii. For the Americans, the results were devastating, over 2400 killed, both soldiers and sailors as well as several dozen civilians, and numerous ships sunk or damaged, including four battleships that were sent to the bottom. Half the deaths came from the sinking of the USS Arizona, which took a direct hit where it's ammunition magazines were, resulting in a massive explosion. While other ships were recovered, the Arizona was too severely damaged, and left as a memorial to it's crew. An official memorial was completed in May 1962, over the wreck of the ship. 

 

Second Life has it's own USS Arizona Memorial, appropriately at Oahu Island. It's for people to drop by and pay respects, and maybe learn something about the ship. 

 

The memorial has historical pictures of the ship and of the event. At the back is a listing of the names of those whom were killed.

 

For those who have been here before, there have been a few changes, notably a small theater that will be showing a small film tomorrow about the Imperial Japanese attack. 

 

The Pearl Harbor Memorial is at Oahu (180/10/24). 

 

On a final note, Cynthia Farshore has informed the Newser that KGYG will be playing announcements of the Pearl Harbor attack today, and Roosevelt's "Day of Infamy" speech tomorrow, Monday December 8.  

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Remembering Sept 11

 

 It was 24 years ago today that the deadliest terrorist attack on the United States, the September 11 attacks, took place. Carried out by members of the Islamofascist group Al Quedia, they would hijack four airliners, crashing one into the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia, and two into the World Trade Center in New York. A fourth airliner heading to Washington DC crashed after it's passengers found out what was going on and rebelled. Almost three thousand were killed, and a shocked America found itself at war with a shadowy enemy. 

 

Second Life would come about a few years later, and over time, there have been numerous memorials to the fallen. Some were large and detailed, such as the one by Alliez Mysterio, the Stairclimb Tribute, and the Stagg Island memorial. Sadly these grand tributes are gone. But there are still some memorials left in this virtual world.

 

 

One is the Gold Haven Memorial, "A Tribute to The Victims & Heroes Who Lost Their Lives on September 11, 2001" 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gold%20Haven/247/48/1343

 

High above Copperhead Road is the Flight 93 Memorial, a tribute to the hijacked airplane whose passengers fought back, and crashed near Shanksville Pennsylvania.  

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Copperhead%20Road/83/9/1995 . 

 

At Miramare, there was this unnamed memorial, lights representing the Twin Towers beaming into the sky.

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Miramare/33/34/25

 

 While, not 9/11 specific, there is the Memorial to Victims of Terrorism Throughout The World, located in Iris. 

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Iris/198/200/21

 

Commentary:

 

As those who remember the attacks know, within weeks America would respond to the evildoers who brought death to our country, liberating Afghanistan from the Taliban which provided a safe haven for the terrorists. The mastermind Bin Laden slipped away, but would be tracked down and killed several years later. 

 

Today, a generation later, America has changed. Politics has become more sharply divisive than at any other time in living memory, and the country has become "A house divided" with politicians and people alike looking at the opposing faction with fear and hate, blaming them for their troubles and accusing them of destroying the USA. While we may worry and panic at news headlines, we can also take a moment to remind ourselves that when confronted, we can all be a nation united against a common enemy, and take a moment to remember the fallen. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Remembering Pearl Harbor: The USS Arizona Memorial

 

 

It was on this day 83 years ago that the United States was suddenly thrust into the Second World War when the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked it's Navy base at Pearl Harbor. Over 350 aircraft dropped bombs and torpedoes on the US Pacific fleet, resulting in the loss of four battleships and over 2400 dead. About half of those killed were on the USS Arizona, which sunk after an armor-piercing bomb caused a catastrophic explosion in an ammunition magazine. The other three battleships would eventually be recovered, but the Arizona was too badly damaged and left as a memorial for it's crew. In 1962, an official memorial would be built over the wreckage. 

Second Life has it's own USS Airzona Memorial. It is located in the southeast corner of the Oahu sim. A reader reads out every one of the names of the fallen every few moments. By clicking on a sign, one can toss a lei into the sea in their memory. Beneath the memorial is a virtual wreckage.

This year, there will be a ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial in honor of the dead. It starts at 11 AM SL time.

The Pearl Harbor Memorial is at Oahu (180/10/24).  

 

Remembering the "day which shall live in infamy."

Bixyl Shuftan

September 11 Memorials

 

 

 It was twenty-three years ago that the September 11 terrorist attacks took place. Nineteen hijackers from the Islamofacist group Al Qaeda, led by Osama Bin-Laden, would take over four airliners, and use them for suicide attacks, crashing them into both towers of New York City's World Trade Center, and the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia. One airliner, thought to be headed to Washington DC's Capitol, crashed to the ground near Shanksville Pennsylvania after the passengers heard what was going on through cell phones and began overpowering the hijackers. Almost 3000 were murdered, making this the deadliest terrorist attack in American history, and in the years afterward many more would pass away due to illnesses related to the dust from the collapse of the Twin Towers and the cleanup afterward. It would also launch the "War on Terror," as well as bring about changes in the lives of Americans that continue to this day. 

Over time, there have been a number of memorials to the fallen in Second Life. One of the largest was the memorial set up in 2009 by Alliez Mysterio. A decade ago, Cindy Bolero would set up a Stairclimb Tribute to the firefighters who braved the doomed World Trade Center before it's collapse. At Stag Island was a detailed memorial done by Fazio Magic. After his passing, it would be at Yellow River for a few years.

Sadly, those memorials are now gone, with only pictures, films, and memorials remaining. But there are still some inworld. For several years, there's been one high above Gold Haven. Made by Bryston Vanvleck, it's official name is "A Tribute to The Victims & Heroes Who Lost Their Lives on September 11, 2001," It is located at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gold%20Haven/247/48/1343 .

 

Most of the 9/11 memorials are focused around the World Trade Center. But high above Copperhead Road is one to the passengers who foiled the terrorists on the fourth airliner, the virtual Flight 93 Memorial. It was created by Paul Woodrunner, and can be found at https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Copperhead%20Road/83/9/1995 .

On the Mainland, there is this unnamed Twin Towers Memorial. It is located at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Miramare/33/34/25 . 

Also on the Mainland is the Memorial to Victims of Terrorism Throughout The World. While it's about numerous acts of terror, the 9/11 attacks are mentioned here. Made by Prokofy Neva, the memorial is at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Iris/198/200/21 .

 

A generation later, much has changed. In real-life news, headlines are about an election of which numbers of voters fear the victory of the candidate they're voting against will result in the end of America as a democratic republic. But maybe, we can take a moment and not only remember the fallen, but how unified as a country we were. It didn't matter if one was a Democrat or Republican, red state or blue state. Our country had been attacked like it hadn't been since Pearl Harbor, and we were united in striking back against those who dared murder our people. 

Twenty-three years later, we still remember.

Bixyl Shuftan

The Pearl Harbor Memorial

 

 It was 82 years ago this day in which the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a devastating air attack on the US base at Pearl Harbor . A number of ships were sunk or damaged, including three battleships that were sent to the bottom, and over 2400 American servicemen lost their lives. About half the casualties came from the USS Arizona, which was sunk along with almost 1200 sailors whom were killed. The other battleships were eventually brought back into service, but the catastrophically damaged Arizona was left on the bottom as a memorial to its crew. About two decades later, an official public memorial was built over the ship.

 

Second Life has it's own USS Arizona Memorial, in the Oahu sim. Most of the island is a happy tropical residential place, but one corner was set aside for a replica of the memorial to the sailors whom met their end at America's entry into WW2. A lei thrower allows visitors to toss in rings of flowers for the fallen. 

 

Under the memorial is an image of the sunken battleship, complete with an occasional bubble of oil that makes its way to the surface from the wreck (for some reason, panning around it isn't visible at all angles). inside the memorial are pictures of the real structure, plus of the USS Arizona. At the end is a plaque to those who gave their lives in defense of the United States that day.

The Pearl Harbor Memorial is at Oahu (190/27/24). A tribute to the event that catapulted America from isolationism to a true global power.

 

Bixyl Shuftan

September 11 Memorials

 

 

 Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, in which four airliners were hijacked by Islamofacists intent on suicide missions. Two would crash into the World Trade Center in New York City, sending the Twin Towers crashing down after the fires weakened the steel supports. One slammed into the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia. The fourth plane ended up crashing in Shanksville Pennsylvania when the passengers found out what was going on through their cell phones and tried to take control of the plane back. Almost 3000 were killed as a result of the attacks, the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil in it's history. 

Over time, there have been a number of memorials to the fallen here in Second Life. In 2009, Alliez Mysterio had a well-designed memorial people could leave flowers and other momentos at. The Stairclimb Tribute to the firefighters by Cindy Bolero at Aero Pines was another. Fazio Magic made a detailed memorial at Stagg Island, which was there until his passing and was moved to Yellow River for a few years. Sadly, these memorials are gone, but there are others up today.

from Gemma Cleanslate

One memorial that's been around for several years is the one in the Gold Haven sim. Called "A Tribute to The Victims & Heroes Who Lost Their Lives on September 11, 2001," it was made by Bryston Vanvleck. It is located at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gold%20Haven/247/48/1343 .

 

 

 High over Copperfield Road is the Flight 93 Memorial, the virtual version of the real-life one. Set up by Paul Woodrunner, it can be found at https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Copperhead%20Road/83/9/1995.

On the Mainland, there is this unnamed Twin Towers Memorial. It is located at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Miramare/33/34/25 . 

Also on the Mainland is the Memorial to Victims of Terrorism Throughout The World. By Prokofy Neva, while this memorial isn't specific to September 11, the attacks are mentioned here. The location is at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Iris/198/200/21 .

Twenty-two years later, we still remember.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Cartoon of The Day: Why Did She Faint?

 

 

 Taken at Cherry 18. So why did this girl faint? Well, the actual conversation really did involve cornfields.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day: "Help, I've Fallen ..."

 

 

 Taken at Club Squeaks. Someone was doing the "Wheeeeeeeeeee!" gesture, sliding on the floor. I caught him on camera, and my imagination came up with the caption.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Cartoon of The Day: "Help, I've Fallen ..."

 

 

 Taken at Club Squeaks. I had another idea for a cartoon, but this time posted the picture on DJ Squeaks' Discord page. Brandi Streusel gave me the idea for the dialogue here.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Space Remembrance Day

 

 

 Monday January 30 was "Space Remembrance Day," and at the National Space Society sim, a number of people met. A number of space-related topics were discussed, though the main subject were those astronauts, NASA engineers, and others with accomplishments linked to space who had passed away in the past year, such as Gemini astronaut Jim McDivitt.

 

 

 Not far away was a monument to 18 lost in space missions, and 11 lost in accidents. Space has many risks, but also rewards. It's likely in some future age in which much of Humanity is living outside Earth, the names of these people will be on space stations and colonies.

Bixyl Shuftan

The Pearl Harbor Memorial

 

 

 It was eighty-one years ago when the Japanese Empire launched a surprise attack on the US Pacific Fleet at the Navy base Pearl Harbor at Oahu Hawaii. For the Americans, the results were devastating, over 2400 killed and numerous ships sunk or damaged, including four battleships that were sunk. Half the deaths came from the sinking of the USS Arizona, which took a direct hit in an ammunition magazine, resulting in a massive explosion. Other ships were recovered, but the Arizona was too badly damaged. So it was left as a memorial to it's crew. In May 1962, an official memorial was completed over the wreck of the ship.

 

Second Life has it's own Oahu Island, and in the southeast corner is its own USS Arizona Memorial. People dropping by are invited to pay their respects and reflect. Near the entrance, one can press a sign to have a lei thrown in the sea to honor the fallen. They would linger a while, the name of the thrower hanging overhead. As time goes on, the names of those who perished are read. 

 

Beneath the memorial was a mockup of the Arizona, which like the real life wreckage bubbled up an occasional bit of oil to the surface.

 

Inside the memorial, there are historical pictures of the ship and of the event. At the back is a listing of the names of those whom were killed.
  

In the past, anniversary events were held at the memorial, such as for it's seventy year anniversary.

The Pearl Harbor Memorial is at Oahu (180/10/24). 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day

 

Taken at the Christmas Expo
 
By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Remembering Pearl Harbor

 

It was 80 years ago today, Sunday December 7, 1941, in which the Attack on Pearl Harbor took place. An Imperial Japanese task force that included several carriers sent over three hundred planes against the US Pacific fleet. Many American ships were damaged or sunk, over a hundred US planes destroyed, and over 2400 Americans (including 68 civilians) were dead.  

Over half of those dead were lost on the USS Arizona, which suffered catastrophic damage when an armor-piercing bomb detonated in it's forward magazine. The other battleships sunk in the shallow waters would later be raised to fight again. But the Arizona was left as a memorial to it's perished crew. In 1962, an official memorial would be built over the remains of the ship. 

In Second Life, there have been temporary USS Arizona Memorials set up, such as the one at the Veterans Tribute every November. But the permanent one is at the Oahu sim. Ten years ago for the 70th Anniversary, there was an event to honor the American servicemen who perished. No events are known to be planned today. But people are free to come by and reflect, and perhaps throw a lei in the sea with the press of the sign. A counter continually reads the names of the sailors who fell that day.

Oahu (190/25/22)

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Cartoon of the Day: Fallen Pony

 

Taken at Faeun. At a dance party, this alicorn pony was rolling around. So why would a pony be stumbling around this way? I could think of one reason, the only kind of liquor sold at Trotsdale.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

9/11 Memorials in Second Life

 

It's been twenty years since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 that brought down the World Trade Center in New York City, and damaged the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia, resulting in the mass-murder of almost 3000 people. Since then, those who were children at the time of the attacks have grown up, and now there are adults whom hadn't been born yet. But people still remember, both the shock and the devastation, but also how Americans came together. And here in Second Life, there have been various memorials over the years. While some notable ones in the past are no longer around, there are still a number inworld.

 

 One 9/11 memorial that's been around for several years is the "Always Remember" one, which has slide shows of pictures and descriptions. This year, it's in Gold Haven.

You are now at 9/11 Memorial - Always Remember, Never Forget , Gold Haven (246, 47, 1344) Welcome to the 9/11 Memorial - Always Remember, Never Forget. A Tribute to The Victims and Heroes of September 11th, 2001.

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gold%20Haven/245/48/1343

 

Above the Copperhead Road sim is a replica of the memorial to the passengers in the one plane that fought back against the hijackers: Flight 93, which would crash near Shanksville Pennsylvania. The main part is the "Tower of Voices," which was made in 2020. More recently, the memorial has been expanded in size to include the "Wall of Names."

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Copperhead%20Road/83/9/1995

 In Dornoch is the "9/11 20th Anniversary Memorial."

Since 2011, the 9/11 Memorial has been placed in various locations around the Second Life world to commemorate the events of September 11, 2001. This year the memorial is placed in the region of Dornoch, Scotland. All are welcome to visit and reflect. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dornoch/54/188/23

In the Iris sim is the "Memorial to the Victims of Terrorism." 

I am  El Paso,  I am Kabul, I am Christchurch, I am London, Je suis Paris, je suis Bruxelles, Türkiye'nin duyuyorum, أنا بغداد. Stop terrorism! Pray for victims in Sri Lanka,New Zealand, Afghanistan, Pakistan, US, Syria, all over!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Iris/197/199/21

The Victims of Terrorism memorial would have a TP to another memorial, one not to those who died from terrorism, but those who passed away from the Coronavirus Pandemic that still claims many lives every day.

Pray for your loved ones who are ill with coronavirus. Put out a free sign and candle. Pray for health care workers. Place a memorial for those who have died of this pandemic. Places of meditation and healing nearby. May God have mercy on our souls!

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Atis/113/45/2810

Twenty years later, we still remember.

Bixyl Shuftan