A Marine's Story (2011)

 

Memorial Day has many stories. One would first be told one Veterans Day in 2011. At the Second Life Veterans Tribute, Laken Titanium, a US Marine in real-life, was introduced to me. He had a story to tell, not of himself, but rather of a number of his platoon whom sadly never made it home. 

Read the story from 2011 in People.
 

Wildroses Pevensey On The Veterans' Tribute

Last week, the yearly Second Life Veterans' Tribute took place. After I first wrote about this year's tribute, I had a chance to talk to it's curator, Wildroses Pevensey. Wildroses had a few things to say about the event, saying it was a bit tiring, but had absolutely no regrets.

Read the interview in Events.

Remembering Lohti Aeon/Specialist Jacob D. Borton

Among the names at the Memorial Wall at the Second Life Veterans Tribute last week, there was one of a Second Life resident Lothi Aeon, whom in real life was Army Specialist Jacob D. Borton.

Lothi was mentioned in Second Life Newspaper on Memorial Day Weekend 2009:

Lohti Aeon’s profile description didn’t have much. A few groups, a picture of his virtual self, a single location. A man of few words, his 1st life tab simply stated, “I'm a 19-year-old soldier who spends his spare time on his computer, after balancing out school, family crises, work, and other mumbo-jumbo.”


In real life, he was Specialist Jacob D. Borton of the US Army. Described as a “shy video gamer” in his high school years, he joined the Army and was sent to Iraq. He was described as reserved, but not afraid to come to the aid of someone he felt was being pushed around, “He wouldn’t say much unless there was some injustice being done, and then he would speak up.”

Borton met his end not at the hands of Islamofacist terrorists or their booby traps, but by one of his own comrades. He was one of the five soldiers killed at the combat stress clinic at Camp Liberty on May 11, 2009 by a sergeant sent there whom left the building and returned with a gun. Borton is described as putting himself between the shooter and another man, trying to talk the assailant into putting his gun down. He was 20 years old.

Then, he was placed on another Memorial Wall on the Grid. Later on, he would be placed here as well to be remembered.

Bixyl Shuftan

A Marine's Story

Behind the big story of the Second Life Veterans Tribute last week, there were smaller, more personal stories. Among them was that of Laken Titanium, a US Marine in real-life, whom a number of his platoon met their end in Iraq. Second Life Newser had the fortune to meet up with him, and he had a story to share.

Read Laken's story in People.

Veterans Day

To those who served to defend Democracy, thank you from Second Life Newser.

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.

Veterans Tribute Events on the US Marines’ Anniversary

Besides being the birthday of the US Marine Corp, Wednesday Nov. 10 offered a few events at the Second Life Veterans Tribute. Among them were a Coast Guard rescue, and a dogfight in the skies.

Read the story in Events.

Rescue by the SL Veterans Tribute Pilots

Today the family of SLVT Pilot Rhea Thor can rest easy thanks to a rescue operation conducted this morning. Rhea, a Swiss pilot, on loan from the Flying Tigers, was on a secret mission over the Dream Seekers Estates sim when her aircraft suddenly lost power. Fortunately Rhea was not injured when she was forced to conduct a low altitude ejection from her crippled plane. SLVT personnel responded immediately when word reached their headquaters. Wellhung (James) Bagley and Xabriana Porthos were hand picked to conduct a covert rescue mission behind enemy lines. Rhea, having already been on the ground for almost 24 hours, was located using the ultra secret SL mini-map satellite network. Agents Bagley and Porthos conducted a daring and challenging early morning HALO (high altitude low opening) jump from a SLVT Coast Guard C-130. Within hours of the jump, a SLVT Bell UH-60 extracted the two Agents and the downed Pilot.

Celebrations honoring the Agents and Pilot will be conducted during the Marine Birthday Ball on November 10. A buffet lunch will occur during the ceremonies.

SLVT Team Press Release