Echovets Gateway For Veteran Newcomers Now Open

 

 

 Last month, the Newser reported that Echovets had been granted a gateway sim by Linden Lab, the first and so far the only one to be aimed at newcomers who are military veterans. But it had been an empty sim that needed to be built on. A few days ago, Echovets' leader, Stacy Lee (Stacy Maracas), informed me the gateway was now open for newcomers, the construction of it's buildings completed. 

"Here at Echo Group Band of Brothers Gateway, we know how overwhelming Second Life can be when you first rezz in.  We went out of our way to ensure our uniformed service residents, their families and supporters, not only receive the knowledge of being a new resident, but also interactive everything for hands on learning as well.  We feel that it will make new residents want to stay in Second Life and keep learning more."

Stacy described herself as exhausted, but proud of what the sim had become and now had to offer. There was a newcomer orientation area where one could learn the basics on how to get about Second Life. But there was more. There was a mall area. There was a golf course. There was a bumper boats pool. There was a sandbox. There was a picturesque garden. There was a firepit welcome area. And more. 

 

One place Stacy was particularly proud of was the Echovets Bike Track. Located over the sim, it offered a long track that would take some time for motorcycles, or perhaps cars or horses, to make their way up to the end. It offered occasional signs and other scenery along the track, sometimes funny, sometimes serious.

A valuable asset for military veterans new to Second Life.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Echo%20Group%20Welcome/15/239/25

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Echovets Announces New Veteran’s Gateway Sim

 

 

 Almost a year ago, we wrote about the Echovets sim and community, which later ended up in Second Life Destinations. A couple days ago, it's co-President Stacy Maracas (Stacy Lee) had an announcement, shared through a notecard.

Last week we were given the first and only Veteran’s Gateway Sim.  I am currently building it as we speak, and we are searching for business owners to partake in that sim with us.

What we are attempting to do is have some free items for our Active Duty, Veterans and family members that choose to Rezz for the first time in Second Life at the EchoGroup Gateway.

I have been in SL for almost 19 years, I know, and have seen us pull together to help new residents get a great start.  I am hoping I can count on you to pull together again, with us to make it a great experience for them as they come to Second Life, and to EchoVets and not only join us in the place we all love, but also to receive the benefit of having their Rezz day on our sim where we can provide LIVE assistance with the systems in place to help them as Uniformed Service Members.

We are looking for Mesh Bodies, Hair, Skins, Clothing, and any great items you think might be a nice free item or even VERY low cost that I am willing to give them the lindens out of my pocket to obtain.

I welcome you to tour the sim, ask any questions you like, and I am also including some background and our social media links for your information.

The Gateway sim, Echo Group Welcome, is just north of the EchoVets BandofBrothers sim. While much of the place is still empty, some things have been set up, such as the beginning of an orientation course, and a freebie mall. But the mall had very little. As stated by Stacy, Echovets could use a little help in getting free or practically free items for veteran newcomers to Second Life. 

In my opinion, the idea of a Gateway sim for veterans is a good one as it would encourage more to stay in Second Life.

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/EchoVets%20BandofBrothers/159/221/23

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

SL Video: "Mature Military Veterans in Second Life with Stacy Maracas"

 

 

(Click here if the video does not play)

 From the Ageless Mind Project on May 21, "Stacy talks about how Echo-vets assists mature Veterans with resources and navigation of the VA system while in Second Life."

 

EchoVets in Second Life Destinations

 

 In September, the Newser wrote about EchoVets, a sim and group in Second Life founded by a real-life veterans center staff member, Stacy Maracas, where veterans could seek help for various problems or just meet up and talk. Yesterday, Tuesday November 8, Linden Lab featured it in it's Second Life Destinations.

“Echo Group, a Real Life 5013C, Band of Brothers is dedicated to our veteran community. We currently have our main group in California on the Central Coast and chapters in Arizona, Tennessee, and the Metaverse.

We are working closely on initiatives that directly affect the veteran community, such as the Veteran Homeless Crisis as well as the 22 a day initiative. 

On our sim, we have kiosks providing up-to-date Veteran’s Affairs system information for veterans and family members. We have live classes on Veteran Suicide Awareness Training, PTSD Awareness Training, group camaraderie sessions, and club events at our Club Echo.

Numerous garden areas and places to just be and relax, we even have a farm tucked in the corner. And of course our famous aquarium.

We are getting our sim ready to become a Gateway in Second Life. Our Veterans will be available via scheduling to aid new Residents, and it will help the veteran earn their red, white, and blue jersey.” 

Draxtor Despres would do a video of the location, talking to Stacy about it and what goes on there. 

Among the leadership team is Suta Northman, who the Newser interviewed earlier this year about the Vietnam Wall.

For the full article, Click Here. 

Memorial For Waya Snowpaw

 

 

On Saturday October 22, a memorial service was held for DJ Waya Snowpaw. He had passed away on Sept 27 and his death announced on the weekend of October 15-16. He was in his 60s. The service was conducted in voice by Suta Northman, EndoraMcandrewsII, and Stacy Maracas. 

Waya in real life was an American Indian, and the ceremony had a number of tribal elements such as a bow, drum, and axe at the coffin, along with a helmet on top of a rifle planted barrel down in a pair of boots, his SL avatar picture in front. American Indian music was played for much of the service. The event happened high above the Veterans Isle sim in front of a group of fellow veterans, friends, and people coming by to show respect.

 

Waya had been DJing for about forty years, most of his adult life. A passionate music lover, he had a noteworthy collection of songs and records, even a few Edison wax cylinders from the 19th Century. A few LPs he supposedly rescued when kids were tossing them around like a frisbee. 

 

Numerous stories were told, in voice, many that sadly were not written down, "I'll miss those wolves that Waya had with him when he DJed." Following the event, there was a 21 gun salute, followed by an informal dance by those who stuck around. 

I was told by one resident, "There will be another service too on 11/5/22 at 2 for all of Waya's furry friends that maybe could not make it here."

Bixyl Shuftan

Echovets: Band of Brothers

 

There's a new sim and group to help out veterans. It is Echovets: Band of Brothers. I had a few words with the woman behind it, Stacy Maracas. In real life, Stacy works at a local vet center. Seeing what could be done in Second Life, she would go on to build the place and group behind it.

 

 Read more in People.