September 11 Memorials, Past and Present

 

Saturday September 11 was the anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks on New York City and the Pentagon, the twentith. Over the years in Second Life, the event and the fallen have been remembered in many ways at a number of memorials. Some got more attention than others, either from being large and detailed, or for the events and people they attracted. In today's article, we look back at a few of those in the past, but also a couple that were around for this anniversary.

Read the story in Extra.
 

Picture of the Day: Remembering September 11

 

Taken at the now gone Stagg Island 9/11 Memorial on Sunday, Sept 11 2016. A man in a Captain America avatar looks at the waterfall symbolizing one of the two twin towers of the World Trade Center.
 

September 11 Memorials in Second Life

It's been nineteen years since the deadliest terrorist attack on the US on September 11, 2001. Nineteen hijackers from an Islamofacist terrorist group would seize control of four passenger jet liners to use in suicide missions. Two would be used to hit the New York City World Trade Center towers, the resulting fires soon causing them to collapse. A third would be use to hit and severely damage the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia. The terrorists on the fourth airline were stopped when the passengers tried to take control, and the plane would crash near the small town of Shanksville Pennsylvania. Nearly three thousand Americans and other nationalities were murdered, and the country would never be the same again.

Over the years, there have been a number of memorials to the fallen of that day, probably the most notable in the past being that of Alliez Mysterio over a decade ago, and the Stairclimb Tribute in the Aero Pines sim several years ago. This year, probably the most well-designed is Fazio Stagg's 911 Memorial in the Yellow River sim, formerly the Stagg Island memorial. On white marble panels on either side of the site are carved the names of the fallen. On another side are flags representing a nation that lost at least one person in the attack. In the center of the memorial are two square-shaped holes in the ground with waterfalls, with two beams of light heading up. In the past, the memorial would have tribute events each Sept 11. This year however, it was announced, "We are not having any services this year due to scheduling. ... This is the last year this memorial will be available on Second Life." So it appears unless there's a change in plans, the Stagg Memorial will soon be gone.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Yellow%20River/64/155/41

Another memorial is high above the Tenerife sim. Around a central area with seats are pictures of scenes of the attack and the aftermath, as well as memorial pictures and builds.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tenerife/118/144/1343

One of the newer memorials is the Flight 93 9/11 Memorial. Made by Paul Woodrunner, it's a 93 foot high tower with 40 wind chimes. Elsewhere in the sim at the Bob Hope Theater at Copperhead Road (64/124/1528), there will be a tribute event at 6PM SL time. On Saturday Sept 12 at the memorial itself will be a live performance by JustinElias Anatara at 4PM SL time, followed by a light show at 5PM.

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

While not exclusive to 9/11, worthy of mention is the "Memorial to Victims of Terrorism Throughout the World."

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

 At the Victims of World Terrorism memorial was a teleport to a small memorial to that of another crisis, the Pandemic affecting the world today that has taken over 910,000 lives around the world, almost 200,000 of them from the United stated.

 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!

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

The fallen from nineteen years ago, as well as those from today's crisis, are remembered.

Bixyl Shuftan

September 11 Memorials in Second Life

Today marks the 18th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States. On this day in 2001, nineteen members of the Islamofacist terrorist organization Al Qaeda hijacked four passenger jets, sending two into the World Trade Center in New York City, and one into the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia. The attack on New York was the most destructive, with both towers of the World Trace Center hit by two of the airliners, and collapsing soon afterwards. Although badly damaged by the explosion from the third airliner, the Pentagon remained functional. The fourth airliner was probably intended for the Capitol building in Washington DC, but the passengers rose up against the hijackers, and the plane crashed near Shanksville Pennsylvania. Almost three thousand died in the attacks, most in the attack on New York. This would be the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil, and would set in motion the "War on Terror" that continues to this day.

Over the years, there have been a number of memorials to those who fell on 9/11.  Alliez Mysterio had a well-designed one about a decade ago. Others at the time included the Twin Towers memorial on New York City Block. Another was the Stairclimb Tribute to the firefighters whom died at the World Trade Center. Although these and others are gone, there are some still around, including some large ones.

Probably the best memorial to the fallen of September 11 is the one in the Yellow River sim. Originally located in Stagg Island, last year it was moved. The names of each of those whom were killed that day are carved on white marble. The towers are represented by two square waterfalls with beams of light heading straight up. Small flags representing every nation whom lost someone to the attacks are on one side of the grounds.  The memorial was made by Fazio Magic.

There will be two ceremonies today at the Yellow River Memorial. They  will be at 3PM and 6PM SL time.

This week marks the anniversary of 9/11.    Please join us to remember the events of that day in a 50 minute service written by the memorial's creator, Fazio Magic. This memorial was built to pay homage to the souls we lost that day as a country.

We also need ANY Service Men and Woman that would like to be part of the Service in Uniform

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Yellow%20River/64/155/41

Another memorial is high above the ground in a skybox, in Tenerife. Around a central sitting area, there are pictures of scenes of September 11, and a small monument. Window views show scenes of New York City, including the World Trade Center. The region description calls it, "A Tribute to The Victims and Heroes of September 11th, 2001. 911 Memorial, 9-11 Memorial, World Trade Center, The Pentagon, NYC Fire, Police & Rescue, Flight 93, 11, 77, 175, WTC, NYPD." The place was made by Bryston Vanvleck.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tenerife/118/144/1343

This year, there's a new memorial, the "9/11 Memorial Track and Museum." Part monument and part racetrack, at various points on the track, there are images of the event and names of those who met their end that day. The build was made Smoke Texan.

This track was meant to be cruised as you see the events unfolding. We pay tribute to the First Responders, The 9.11 Museum for the Firefighters and Police officers. the 9.11 Memorial, and Veteran's Memorial Cemetery.. TP's and Bikes are available.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Marvelis/129/169/397

While not exclusive to 9/11, worthy of mention is the "Memorial to Victims of Terrorism Throughout the World." The display was made by Jessica Ornitz and Prokofy Neva.

I am  El Paso,  I am Kabul, I am Christchurch, I am London, Je suis Paris, je suis Bruxelles, Türkiye'nin duyuyorum, ??? ?????. 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

Eighteen years later, the fallen are still remembered.

Addition: The Second Life Enquirer wrote about one memorial event. There will be a USO show at the Bob Hope Theater above the Copperhead Road sim. The show will be at 6PM SL time.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Copperhead%20Road/64/97/1515

Bixyl Shuftan

Sept. 11 Memorial Ceremony at Yellow River Memorial

It was 17 years ago last week that America suffered it's most devastating terrorist attack. Second Life has a number of memorials to honor those who died. But none of the others is as large as the one as the Sept. 11 Yellow River Memorial, formerly the Stagg Island Memorial. Last week on Tuesday September 11, the memorial held it's first 9/11 anniversary events since it's relocation. Deaflegacy was there, and would write about the emotionally moving ceremony held in honor of those whom had their lives cut short that day.

Read Deaflegacy's article in Events.

Stagg Island 9/11 Memorial Has Moved

 Yesterday, the Newser reported that Stagg Island sim had vanished, along with it's memorial to the fallen of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It turned out that the memorial is still around. It had been moved to the Yellow River sim.

Talking to Smoke Texan, one of the people there, he explained, "Well the creator, Faz (Fazio Magic) passed away in December, So Geena (Geena Zackerly) his partner moved it here 'cause it was cheaper. So a few of us are having auctions and such to help her pay her tiers to keep it open." The auctions will be starting on the "13th and go to the 20th." Smoke did say they could use a few more items donated to be auctioned off, "We've gotten bikes and log cabins and riding tracks so far. Geena really tries to do it herself, but I know she needs the help."

In both text and voice, Smoke and his friend Phoenix Nightfire explained there are future plans for the memorial, depending on how much is raised. It is likely the memorial will be placed at the top of a motorcycle track. But the important thing is keeping it online as a lasting memorial to the fallen of the largest terrorist attack on American soil.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Yellow%20River/64/157/41

Bixyl Shuftan

Editor's Note: Gemma Cleanslate and Deaflegacy were the ones who found out the place was still around.

Stagg Island 9/11 Memorial Offline

As Second Life gets ready to remember those who perished in the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Arlington Virginia (and Pennsylvania), one of the most detailed memorials to them in Second Life has apparently vanished. The Stagg Island memorial is no longer online.

The memorial, part of the Stagg Island sim, was made by Geena Zackerly-Magic (Geena Zackerly) and Fazz (Fazio Magic. The names of those murdered were carved into a wall of stone, and the floor had two square holes of which water flowed down the side, and when viewed at Midnight beams of light went up, representing the Trade Center's twin towers. To the side, there were a number of national flags, representing those countries which had lost people in the attack. On September 11, there were ceremonies held to honor those who were killed, with recordings of news broadcasts and releasing of lanterns into the sky.

Over the years, there have been a number of memorials built to remember those who fell, from the large structure built in the dAlliez Land Headquarters sim, to Cheri Bing's New York City Block's World Trade Center memorial, and a number of others. There are still smaller memorials, such as the skybox one at Tenerife (118/143/1343, and the one at Sacred Ground at Urban Style (36/105/1695). But the loss of the Stagg Island memorial means the loss of one of the largest and most detailed, certainly the largest and most detailed in recent years.

Bixyl Shuftan

Remembering Sept 11 at Stagg Island

On Monday Sept 11 at 6PM SL time, I dropped by the Stagg Island 9/11 Memorial. This was the sixteenth anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil that killed about 3,000 people, most from the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. There are a number of memorials to the fallen across Second Life. Stagg Island is the largest one known to the Newser.

The radio stream had both recordings of news broadcasts at the time, and music appropriate for the occasion, such as "Tower of Strength."

"Thank you for attending our 16th Anniversary tribute to those we lost on 9/11/2001. ... This memorial was constructed  for the 10 year anniversary of 9/11.  The outpouring of support has been so remarkable that the creator, and the residents and friends of Stagg Island, decided to leave it up here permanently and dedicate it to the residents of Second Life. Each wall at the memorial contains every name of a precious life lost that day. The individuals on the Airliners, in  the World Trade Center and in the Pentagon are all represented.

"At the one end of the memorial is an eternal flame signifying the light of these souls and keeping their memory forever alive.  Above the eternal flame rotates the Earth. This signifies that all countries were impacted by this terrible tragedy.  We lost people from all nationalities, colors and creeds that day. Evil does not discriminate.  Angels at each corner guard all the individuals honored here.

"The two recessed waterfalls represent the footprint of each building,  The  beam of light  in each footprint signifies each tower and are intended to light up the heavens for our loved ones as a guiding beacon to eternity. During our ceremonies on the anniversary, the "Lanterns of Souls"  will rise out of the water (from each footprint ) to the heavens, signifying the rising to heaven of  the souls of every human being lost that day."

Sixteen years after so many died, America still remembers those who fell.

Bixyl Shuftan

9/11 Memorial Locations

Today marks the 16th anniversary of the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in which Islamofacist hijackers took over four commercial airliners and crashed two into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and one into the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia, the fourth plane crashing into the Pennsylvania countryside when the passengers discovered what was going on and fought back.

Over the years, there have been a number of memorials to the fallen, such as the dAlliez Sept 11 Memorial, the World Trade Center Memorial at the New York City Block sim, and the Regant Estates’ New York NYC memorial. There was also the Stairclimb Tribute by Aero Pines Park. This year, there are a few up. Probably the best designed on is the Stagg Island 9/11 Memorial at Stagg Island (10/152/37). Last year and 2015, there were three remembrance events at 8AM SL time, 2PM, and 6PM.

 At Tenerife (118/143/1343) is "9/11 Memorial - Always Remember, Never Forget" by Bryston Vanvleck. Bryston had this announcement, "Come join us in honoring the victims and commemorating the 16th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. A moment of silence will be held at the following times:

8:46 a.m.(5:46 SLT): Flight 11 crashes into the North Tower (1 WTC).
9:03 a.m.(6:03 SLT): Flight 175 crashes into the South Tower (2 WTC)
9:37 a.m.(6:37 SLT): Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon
9:59 a.m.(6:59 SLT): The South Tower (2 WTC) collapses.
10:03 a.m.(7:03 SLT): Flight 93 crashes into an empty field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
10:28 a.m.(7:28 SLT): The North Tower (1 WTC) collapses."

At McCoy Island (74/73/30), they also had a memorial to Sept 11.

Sacred Ground at Urban Style (17/190/22) has a USO show at 6PM SL time in honor to the fallen of Sept. 11.

"We shall remember."

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: September 11 Observance in Second Life

(Click here if the video fails to play)

Filmed by Cyrus Hush on Sept 11, 2011, "A tour of several sims commemorating the 911 tragedy in the virtual reality environment of Second Life."

Picture of the Day: Remembering September 11

Taken at the Stagg Island 9/11 Memorial on Sunday, Sept 11. A man in a Captain America avatar looks at the waterfall symbolizing one of the two twin towers of the World Trade Center.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Memorial Service at Stagg Island

Sunday was the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that killed almost 3,000 people. In Second Life, there was a service held at the Stagg Island 9/11 memorial. Among those there was Newser reporter Deaflegacy.

Read Deaflegacy's article in Events.

September 11 at Stagg Island

It's been a little over a week since the fourteenth anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack on America. Sometimes called "Patriots' Day," September 11 was a day that would mark America much like December 7 decades earlier. Remembered in real life, people in Second Life also took time to remember the shock and horror. One of the largest remembrance event was at Stagg Island, whose owner Geena Zackerly gave a moving narration. Also, the Newser mentions one small memorial that got overlooked, and Cindy Bolero of Aero Pines explained why the park's stair climb tribute didn't go up this year.

Read more in Events.

Reflections of 9/11 in Second Life

Gemma Cleanslate checked out two of the larger memorials to the Sept 11 2001 tragedy that shook the country twelve years ago. These were at Areo Pines and Stagg Island. So what did she find at these places?

Read Gemma's story in Events.

9-11 Across Second Life

Last weekend, the residents across Second Life took the time to honor those lost in the terrorist attacks. They did so across a number of places, a few that SL Newser took a look at.

More on the story in Events.