SL Video: "Second Life Memorial Day 2009"

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From Cartmantal in May 2009, filmed at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Second Life and Patriot Island.

Reader Submission: Flyover Above Tomb of The Unknowns

From  ŜolƌîéƦ ŴaʋǝƦȉƌǝƦ (Soldier Waverider), a picture of a helicopter flyover in a ceremony at Patriot Island on Friday November 12, 2010.

SL Video: Second Life U.S. Military Veterans Center

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From Bobcat, "U.S. Military Veterans Center, Created by and for U.S. military veterans, active duty and families. Bridging the gap between generations for all services, Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard. DAV, VFW, Legion & more. Shop our Navy Exchange and the Hangar!"

Filmed at Patriot Island. The Veterans Center later moved to the Veterans Isle sim.

Wounded Warrior Event Raises 275,000 Lindens

Last Sunday, the final of the Wounded Warrior benefits for the year took place. At Patriot Island, four live musicians, including Frets Nirvana sung to the audience to raise one final amount of cash for the disabled veterans' charity for the year. So how much was raised and did they meet their goals?

Read more in Events.

Wounded Warrior Benefit Raises Over 300,000 Lindens

By Bixyl Shuftan

On Sunday Nov 25, Patriot Island held it's monthly Wounded Warrior fundraiser. From 4PM to just after 9PM SL time, four live musicians and a DJ performed at the stage in the sim's hangar building. The event was attended by up to a few dozen at the sim at once.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend folks.  The monthly Wounded Warriors benefit is tonight ...and right now Waya Snowpaw is doing it up big time! … Come on out and give thanks by donating to our Veterans and support those who give us our freedom! 

The Lindens slowly built up over time. The cash raised was displayed in the two upside down helmet collection jars on each side of the performers stage. As the musicians played, the listeners danced below. DJ Waya Snowpaw, PonDman Haalan, Paul Nowles, Frets Nirvana & Chapman Zane performed. Frets Nirvana had helped organize the event, on occasion offering to match donations made by listeners, "Got a-ways to go folks. I will put another 1k in if someone else will." Dahlea Milena, who helps run the sim, encouraged people to donate. GJackie Winkler helped give thank you for those donating.

The fundraising goal for the night was 275,000 Lindens, "We have sent over $10,000 RL to Wounded Warriors this year" Frets explained to the audience, "We want to send $12000, we need 275k linden to stay on target."

By 5:30, 29,000 had been raised. By 6, the amount had gone up to 49,000. By 6:30, the amount was over 72,000, which went up to 83,350 in a few minutes. By 6:40 the 100,000 mark had been passed. Donations continued throughout the night. Finally at 8:56 the amount was 271,000 Lindens. Someone then chipped in 4,000 to bring the amount to the 275,000 goal. GJackie Winkler, "Rght now we are at 275,851L, !Wow! You all are so wonderful, big huge huggsss!" Frets Nirvana added, "Excellent, just absolutely excellent folks!"

As the minutes went by, people continued to chip in, "278k!" "Let's see 300K." The musician at the end, Chapman Zane, continued on for a few more minutes, finishing with a "Yehaa!" followed by "Folks, I want to thank you all very much. … you all are wonderful."

The total amount raised at the conclusion of the event was 304,851 Lindens. Following the change of the music stream back to radio, Chapman explained, "I think the WW's program is great. It's a way for us to give back to those that gave for us." Dahlea added, "I think everyone did an incredible effort here tonight. The musicians and their fans are a HUGE part of this, their support for our Wounded Warriors is just so heartwarming and Frets is just absolutely the best at organizing this and putting in so much effort gathering all this great talent and his own time & talent too, I'm absolutely so very very grateful for all the hard work he puts into this." (smile)

For more on the Wounded Warrior Project, click here: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Bixyl Shuftan

Wounded Warrior Benefit Raises Nearly 200,000 Lindens

 On Sunday night, September 30th, Patriot Island hosted their monthly Wounded Warrior Benefit Concert. From about 4PM SL time to just after 9PM (7 to Midnight EST) Singers included Waya Snowpaw, PonDman Haalan, Anj Gustafson, and Jack Kinagree & Lexi Smith.


Donations rose steadily throughout the event. As of 6:15PM, 64,500 Lindens had been raised, which became 70,500 L in four minutes, and nine minutes after that 83,400 Lindens. At times, Frets Nirvana, who helped organize the event, stepped in, offering to match donations made by a certain time, "Ok, let's try this, five people give 1k, I will match with 5k."

Attendance was somewhat lower that night than some previous benefits. This may have been due to technical difficulties as yours truly froze a few times, eventually crashed, and had some trouble getting back online. But that didn't stop the fundraising. The last hour had both Jack Kinagree (Zorch Boomhauer) & Lexi Smith (Lexi Luan). They played for an extra ten minutes for last-minute donations to come in, "Great show Lexie and Zorch."

The final total, at least as of 9:15, was 193, 500 Lindens. Frets was thanked for his efforts here, "Frets as always, such a wonderful evening, thank you for bringing so much wonderful talent here to our vets' center, and supporting our Wounded Warriors."

For more on the Wounded Warrior Project, check: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: Wounded Warrior Bennefit Concert Tonight

Frets Nirvana and US Military Veterans Group announce ninth 2012 Wounded Warriors Benefit concert for Sept 30, 2012. 

Frets Nirvana, the premier guitar artist in the virtual world Second Life and the US Military Veterans Group announce the first Wounded Warriors benefit for the year 2012.  

More than 30,000 troops have been injured in recent conflicts, many of them suffering traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and severe burns.  Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) provides services and programs to ease their burdens and aid in the transition back to civilian life.

Frets Nirvana states:  “As a result of the support of many in Second Life this effort raised over $9200 in 2011 for WWP.  We hope to meet a target of $12000 in 2012.  We are going for 12 in 12! Year to date in 2012 we have sent over $8000 to The Wounded Warriors project.  So we are getting close!”

Wounded Warriors concerts feature premier Second Life Talent monthly at Patriot Island.  The concert on August 26, 2012 is scheduled from 4-9 PM PST.  Featured artists will be  Waya Snowpaw, PonDman Haalan, Anj Gustafson, KInagree-Smith and Frets Nirvana. 


For more information on the concert, contact Frets Nirvana.

ABOUT WOUNDED WARRIORS  - Wounded Warrior Project began when several individuals took small, inspired actions to help others in need. The resulting objective was to provide tangible support for the severely wounded and help them on the road to healing, both physically and mentally. What had been initially viewed as a small contribution (compared with what the warriors had sacrificed while serving our country) has become WWP's signature program:"WWP backpacks delivered bedside to wounded warriors."  Wounded Warriors program has developed significantly over the last several years to include advocacy, benefits counseling, caregivers retreats, coping/family services, peer mentoring, warriors to work and many other programs for the benefit of United States wounded veterans.

To learn more about the Wounded Warriors Project visit https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,840/ 

Wounded Warrior Benefit Raises Over 150,000 Lindens

Last night, Sunday August 26, at the Patriot Island sim, the monthly fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project took place. The event, organized in part by musician Frets Nirvana, began at 4PM SL time, and continued to 9PM.

Hi folks! Tonight, we are starting the monthly Wounded Warriors Benefit tonight now! Tonight we have Waya Snowpaw now, PonDman Haalan 5 PM, Franklee Anatra 6 PM, Frets Nirvana 7 PM and Acoustic Energy Nitely 8 PM! Great lineup ...come on out and support this great cause!

Taking place at the hangar bay stage, the sim was getting a bit packed with 45-50 avatars on it for much of the event. Most were human, but there were a few others, such as one wolfess with a veteran's spouse tag, and another avatar which was just a hat and dozens of butterflies. Among those in the audience was Passionate Redhead leader Sabine McGettin. Besides the fundraiser, the hurricaine in the Gulf made the discussion, "I swear, I did NOT say I needed a guy so bad that they had to send ISAAC to my doorstep, (laughter)."

With Acoustic Energy Nitely taking the stage, the donations had passed the 100,0000 mark, and were increasing. Frets Nirvana then began offering to match the donations people put up, "Who wants to break my bank? ... Double your money! Put it in the helmets. Pay it forward, and it will come back to you."

The donations continued to come in after Acoustic stopped playing. At 9:15, Frets Nirvana announced, "157,076 Linden total tonight. Thanks everyone." "Nite Frets, and thank you for being so awesome!"

Patriot Island is owned by the US Military Veterans Group. Besides home to a community of vets and the location of public events, it is in part a memorial site, a replica of the Tomb of Unknowns in the center. So visitors are asked to be respectful while visiting. The Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit group devoted to "honor and empower wounded warriors" of the US Military. The Project "began when several individuals took small, inspired actions to help others in need. The resulting objective was to provide tangible support for the severely wounded and help them on the road to healing, both physically and mentally."

Bixyl Shuftan

Wounded Warrior Event Raises 143,000 Lindens

On the evening of Sunday July 29th, Patriot Island held their monthly Wounded Warrior benefit, hosted by Frets Nirvana. After a few hours of live performances by musicians, a total of 143,000 Lindens had been raised.

"The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) works to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs."

"Thank you all who supported ... thanks everyone, and all the performers."

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Wounded Warrior Benefit Raises 375,000 Lindens

On Sunday May 27th, Patriot Island held it's monthly Wounded Warrior benefit. Held at the hangar bay stage in the eastern part of the sim, musicians performed for the crowd as they donated cash into two kiosks on either side of the stage, resembling overturned helmets. It was Memorial Day weekend, and the bar was set high. It was announced their goal was a total amount of 275,000 Lindens that night.

For the first hour, Avantgarde Frequency performed for the crowd as the Lindens were tossed into the helmet kiosks, strumming his guitar. Then came Frets Nirvana, the organizer of the event, with his own guitar. Following Frets was Voodoo Shilton, and Mulder Watts on stage together. The audience numbered close to fifty residents at times. Among them were CNN iReporter Any1 Gynoid, and two leading members of the RFL Passionate Redheads team, Sabine McGettin and Dusk Griswold.

As time went on, the Lindens piled up. Occasionally someone offered to chip in an amount, such as 500 or 1000 Lindens, if someone matched their donations. "Come on, this is for a good cause guys! Who's gonna match me?" While Frets Nirvana played, the total passed 200,000 Lindens. When his time on stage was up at 8PM, the total raised was a little shy of the goal at 239,000 Lindens.

Then at 8:03, one or two persons chipped in a massive amount, raising the total by 79,000 Lindens "Yayayay! 79 K!" The amount raised rose to 319,000, and the fundraiser goal had been reached, "Did you just say we made 320K?" Over and over again, people were told, "… thanks for the WW donation." "… thanks for the awesome WW donation." The total went up to 330, then past 340 and 350. Finally at 9:20, "Ohhhhhhhh wow! 375,000 total!" "Woot! 375k!" "Great show guys, thanks!" "U guys killed it! Played hard. Thats how i like to hear it! YAY!" "YAAAAAY FRETS!" "That's awesome, 375000. (grins) That's about 1500 USD!!!" "Voodoo, Mulder, thank you both so very VERY much. You guys were awesome tonight."

Frets Nirvana himself spoke, "Excellent folks, just excellent. Just made my Memorial Day weekend, and our vets!

Patriot Island is owned by the US Military Veterans Group. Besides home to a community of vets and the location of public events, it is in part a memorial site, a replica of the Tomb of Unknowns in the center. So visitors are asked to be respectful while visiting. The Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit group devoted to "honor and empower wounded warriors" of the US Military. The Project "began when several individuals took small, inspired actions to help others in need. The resulting objective was to provide tangible support for the severely wounded and help them on the road to healing, both physically and mentally."

Bixyl Shuftan

In Rememberance

It's Memorial Day in the United States, and time for it's people to take a moment to remember those who fell in defense of their country.

Memorials to Veterans in Second Life

Memorial Day is a time for those in the United States to remember those veterans who died in service. And in a number of places on the Grid, there are memorials to the fallen. Some are fairly simple, others took a little time to make. But the message behind all is the same.

See the list of memorials in Places.

Wounded Warriors Benefit Tonight

At Patriot Island tonight, there will be a live music benefit for the Wounded Warrior Benefit Project. "More than 30,000 troops have been injured in recent conflicts, many of them suffering traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and severe burns. Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) provides services and programs to ease their burdens and aid in the transition back to civilian life. ... Wounded Warriors concerts feature premier Second Life Talent monthly at Patriot Island." Frets Nirvana, whom organizes the benefits, stated they raised $9200 in 2011, and hope to make 12,000 dollars this year, "12 in 12."

Patriot Island (162, 122, 29)

Over 200,000 Lindens Raised at Wounded Warriors Bennefit

On Sunday April 29th, Patriot Island held it's monthly Wounded Warriors benefit. The event began at 6 PM, with ReggieSunset Rookswood taking the stage, and about a few dozen danced to his music on the floor below. On either side of the stage, two kiosks resembling overturned helmets accepted the donations.

As the event went on, the total amount gathered was announced to the audience. Finally at 6:54, the hundred thousand threshhold was crossed, "We have 102,925L so far!" At 7PM, it was Frets Nirvana who took the stage, and the music & dancing went on.

The event went on to 9PM SL time (Midnight EST), and a total of 214,000 Lindens were raised. Frets told that next month's singers will be, "PonDman, Guitar Zane, little old me, Mulder Watts and Voodoo Shilton."

Bixyl Shuftan

Almost 300,000 Lindens Raised at Wounded Warriors Benefit

On Sunday February 26 at 8PM SL time, there was a Wounded Warriors Benefit Concert at Patriot Island. The event was organized by singer Mandkind Tracer, known as Seth Regan in real life. Mandkind planed to play for at least an hour, with the goal of raising 275 thousand Lindens.

The event was held in a hangar-like building in the center-east of the sim, next to a B-24 Liberator and a WW1 biplane. People began showing up at the event early. One lady who dropped in ten minutes before the start told me it was already starting to get crowded. It didn't take long for the hangar to become packed with over fifty avatars.

Even before the event started, people had been donating. Frets Nirvana announced at the start they already had 106,000 Lindens donated, pointing to two helmet displays on both sides of the stage. Within minutes, the total passed 150,000 then 160,000. And from then on, the amount steadily increased. Both Frets and the head of Mandkind's fan group Kalli "Brandy" Birman continued to encourage people to donate.

To encourage donations, at one point Mandkind began offering a set of three of his inworld CDs to those donating 1500 Lindens, a discount from his normal price. He reminded listeners that one could burn the music onto real life CDs, and listen to his music outside Second Life.

Just before 9PM SL time, the amount raised hit 250,000 Lindens, a quarter million. At 9:07 PM, the total had passed 260,000. Five minutes later, it was 265,000, "So close." Finally at 9:17 PM. Frets Nirvana announced, "Excellent! 275k!" And the audience cheered, "Wooooooot! It's been done."

Even after the goal was reached, people continued to chip in. A total of 288,450L was seen contributed, over 1,100 US dollars. Not everyone at the benefit was American, "I am from Egypt and I am proud to help." Mankind played until about 9:30 when he wished the audience well, and ported out. "Thank you so much, Mankind" one of his fans told him. Some in the audience continued to dance away for a little longer before all went their separate ways.

Patriot Island is owned by the US Military Veterans Group. It is in part a memorial site, a replica of the Tomb of Unknowns in the center, so visitors are asked to be respectful of the fact: no firing weapons and no partisan activity. The Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit group devoted to "honor and empower wounded warriors" of the US Military. The Project "began when several individuals took small, inspired actions to help others in need. The resulting objective was to provide tangible support for the severely wounded and help them on the road to healing, both physically and mentally."

"God Bless Our Troops." "Thank you all for coming tonight. Hope you all had fun, and hope to see you next month."

Bixyl Shuftan

Wounded Warriors Benefit Concert on Jan 29

Frets Nirvana, the premier guitar artist in the virtual world Second Life and the US Military Veterans Group announce the first Wounded Warriors benefit for the year 2012.

More than 30,000 troops have been injured in recent conflicts, many of them suffering traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and severe burns. Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) provides services and programs to ease their burdens and aid in the transition back to civilian life.

Frets Nirvana states: “As a result of the support of many in Second Life this effort we raised over $9200 in 2011 for WWP. We hope to meet a target of $12,000 in 2012. We are going for 12 in 12!”

Wounded Warriors concerts feature premier Second Life Talent monthly at Patriot Island. The concert on January 29, 2012 is scheduled from 4-9 PM PST. Featured artists will be DJ Waya Snowpaw, PonDman Haalan, TerryLynn Melody, Frets Nirvana, and Avantgarde Frequency.

Patriot Island (162, 122, 29)

Press Release

Veterans Day Themed Places and Events in Second Life

Veterans Day is here, and there are a number of places, and events, where one can take a moment to honor those who served, as well as celebrate their achievements. From the Second Life Veterans Tribute to the Fearless Festival, residents are invited to come by and visit, in addition to taking part in events.

Read more in Places.

The Wounded Warriors Benefit Concert

On May 29th, the day before Memorial Day, the US Military Veterans Center at Patriot Island held a Benefit for the Wounded Warriors Project. The event went on for several hours, from 4 to 9 PM SL time. Among the musicians were Waya Snowpaw, Pondman Haalan, Franklee Antara, Frets Nirvana, and Von Johin.

The event was packed, with the number of residents in the sim steadily remaining close to fifty. The musicians played on a stage in front of a model of the USS Missouri, and the American flag. The songs sung were a variety of tunes. Some were simply patriotic, others were cautionary tales.

The goal of the event was to raise 170,000 Lindens, collections made from two upturned helmets on either side of the stage. After the last musician got on stage, the objective was reached. But people continued to send over Lindens. The final amount raised was close to 180,000.

The Wounded Warrior Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/) is a nonprofit and nonpartisan group founded to help wounded Veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. It started by simply providing “comfort items,” but grew “into a complete rehabilitative effort to assist warriors as they recover and transition back to back to civilian life.”

Patriot Island is a veteran-owned sim, with regular events, “We provide information, advocacy and outreach to active duty service members, vets and their families. When you join our group, you become part of a big family that cares about one another and shares info vital to vets. In addition, we provide space to several national Veterans Service Organizations.”

Bixyl Shuftan