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 

 

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

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

 

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