Veterans Tribute Opens

 

 

 The Veterans Tribute is now open in Second Life. This is the eighteenth year this annual event in honor of veterans has taken place, with memorials and music parties set up for a short time in November.

 

The 18th Annual SL Veteran's Tribute is non-political and serves one purpose and one purpose only and that is to honor all the men and women that have given willing of their time to protect the lives we enjoy today. Visit the wall and honor a loved one or leave a tribute for the ones there!

 

 

The main feature is the Memorial Wall. Each of the bricks represents a veteran alive or deceased who served, the names contributed by residents. The Newser has written about some in the past, such as Lothi Aeon/Army Specialist Jacob D. Borton and a group of ten soldiers whose story was told by one Marine. While the majority on the Wall are American, there are other veterans honored.

 

 There are other memorials at the Tribute, such as this one honoring the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. 

There's also music events every day. One can get announcements in the inworld group, or on Discord. 

The Tribute is located at Stillwater Cove (41/6/29).

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Looking Back: Memorials to Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett

 

It was fifteen years ago today that two celebrities passed away, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Fawcett had passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. Jackson's death was originally ruled a heart attack, but turned out to be caused by an overdose of a drug intended as a sleep aide. 

Memorials to the two media icons were set up in Second Life. For the article about the two memorials read the 2009 article, originally published in the Second Life Newspaper, (here). 

Bixyl Shuftan

Some September 11 Memorials in Second Life

 

 

 Today is the twenty-first anniversary since the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Arlington Virginia. Almost since the start of Second Life, there have been numerous memorials to honor the fallen.

One of the best ever memorials to September 11 designed was created by Fazio Magic and was called the Stag Island 9/11 Memorial after the sim it was on. Although he passed away, the memorial is maintained on another sim, Yellow River. 

This is a place of respect and honor and we ask that you act accordingly.  This is YOUR memorial, created by our dear Fazio Magic.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Yellow%20River/39/148/41

 

 High above Gold Haven is another notable memorial that's been around for a few years, "9/11 Memorial - Always Remember, Never Forget"

A Tribute to The Victims & Heroes Who Lost Their Lives on September 11, 2001

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gold%20Haven/239/48/1343

High above Shamone is the 9/11 Memorial Photo Exhibit.

On September 11, 2021, 2,996 people were killed in the 9/11 attack on America. Including citizens of 78 countries, and the 19 terrorist hijackers. Many are still dying from 9/11 related causes. We remember them and will never forget.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shamone/67/27/1704

At the mainland sim of Sistiana is an Italian memorial, "Twin tower for not forget 11 September"

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sistiana/105/239/29

 

Much has happened since that dreadful day, notably the Coronavirus that killed a million Americans. But much like Pearl Harbor, this was an attack on the country that continues to affect us to this day.

"We shall remember."

Bixyl Shuftan

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.
 

SL Video: "Second Life Destinations - Angels Rest"

 

 

From Draxtor Despress on November 10, the video for this week's "Second Life Destinations" by Linden Lab, "Angels Rest, a uniquely timeless memorial garden for Residents to visit loved ones who are no longer with us.

 "Creators Fae and Mr. N greet visitors warmly with their group’s message: “Angels Rest is a memorial garden offering space for you to create a focal point for remembrance. The aim is to offer a chance for quiet contemplation and reflection away from daily distractions.” The environment invites one to be vulnerable among the serenity of nature, with an occasional wild animal hopping about to remind you that you’re not alone.

"Assembling a sacred virtual space that is accessible 24/7, rain or shine, was an enormously thoughtful endeavor. It is hard enough losing a loved one, and during the added strain of coronavirus tumult, many survivors were not able to honor traditional funeral practices for safety reasons. Fae says, “I have lost people in my life who I wanted a way of memorialising. It seemed to me that there was such a huge need for this, especially this year with the COVID pandemic. I met a couple who had a similar kind of garden but they were not able to maintain it, and it had to close, so I decided I wanted to fill the gap that had been left behind.”

"Fae, elaborating further on her vision for Angels Rest, says, “I have seen and felt firsthand the effects that social isolation has had on both myself and my nearest and dearest… We wanted to create a place that people can spend time and have peace and reflection in the virtual ways that we are able to right now. It was very important to us that we be able to provide this free of charge as so many are struggling right now, and so we came up with the idea of the refunded rental.”

"The rental options include candles and plots that can be decorated with pictures, messages, flowers, or other meaningful mementos. Many people commemorate their pets as well, as is visible from the glass display case showing a four-legged friend in a perfect slumber. The space makes its inclusive atmosphere clear with its centerpiece, the Ecunemical Chapel bearing objects that represent all major world relations.

"For visitors who are struggling with grief, a notecard offers important information such as phone numbers and email addresses of both Bereavement and Mental Health Services. We hope that all those who visit Angels Rest are provided with joyful reminders of loved ones and the strength to carry on."

 To see the blog post, Click Here.

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

Journey Across the SL14B on Day One

Gemma Cleanslate has been busy touring the grounds of the Second Life Fourteenth Birthday celebration. Among the places  she visited were three memorial exhibits to two notable residents who passed away.   Two were for Ladyslipper Constantine, noted for her activities with volunteering and the arts. One was for Lumiere Noir, the creator of the Ivory Tower of Prims which instructs residents old and new about creating things in Second Life.

Read Gemma's article in Places.

Commentary: Second Life Could Use A Historical Preservation Process

It's been spoken that change is the only constant. In real-life people make the news and either die or fade away into obscurity, land gets built-on and the buildings are either bulldozed and replaced or rust away. Well, it's not always the case with the latter. Occasionally a battlefield or a building deemed of historic value may be preserved by law as a public resource.

In Second Life, most places quietly go up, exist for a short time, and fade away without much attention. But some become well-known and popular. While popularity can sometimes help a location stay afloat, such as donations or sales if the place has some means of making money, it does not always help. Sim owners finances can sour, or their real lives can otherwise get in the way. And so people are saddened as a favorite spot of theirs closes down, sometimes after having been up for years.

Over time, a number of well-designed places have faded away. Many of these are memorials, such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial,  the dAlliez Land Headquarters September 11 Memorial, and the Pearl Harbor Memorial. Others are reproductions of real life historic areas such as the picturesque Mont Saint Michel, the cleverly-built "Crooked House" (which was up as late as July 2012 but does not appear in recent searches), Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and others. Sometimes a favorite location is saved, such as the International Space Museum. There has been one case of a vanished place being brought back: The Lost Gardens of Apollo. But so many times an owner looking for help to maintain his/her location cannot find it.

Only twice has Linden Lab stepped forward to save a location. The first time was with Svarga, an artificial working ecosystem that was considered one of the virtual world's seven wonders. The more recent time was with the SS Galaxy, which announced it's closing following a blunder by Linden Lab, but the Lab would soon step in to preserve it.

But will this be it? Will these be the only two places that Linden Lab will intervene to save?

One thing Linden Lab could do is start a process of preserving the most noted sims. Perhaps every year or every six months, it could ask the residents on it's blog "Which area should be preserved?" There could also be an option for residents to write-in a location to be brought back (or perhaps rebuilt by volunteers) should no noteable location popular with the residents. Depending on how Linden Lab stores sim data, this could take some time.

Could there be another kind of process? Possibly, though without listening to the public it would be a tricky business. One complication for any process is for places like Insilico and Steelhead, part of what made them great was the people. Having them around as preserved museum pieces would be of mixed news to their fans as they would no longer be "alive" as active roleplay and community areas.

But in any event, Second Life could use a way that allows some sims that help make Second Life great from fading away when their owners are no longer able to keep them up.

Bixyl Shuftan

September 11 Memorials in Second Life

September 11 is the fifteenth anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil in which over three thousand perished. Four airlines were hijacked by Islamofacist fanatics, and diverted to suicide missions on targets. Two were crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, where most of the deaths occurred. One hit the Pentagon in Arlington. The fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania after the passangeres rebelled, it's fourth target probably either the White House or the Capitol building.

Over the years, there have been a number of 9/11 memorials in Second Life. The most decorative is the Stagg Island Memorial made by Geena Zackerly-Magic (Geena Zackerly) and Fazz (Fazio Magic). All of the names of the fallen are carved into stone, and two beams of light rising from square waterfalls, representing the towers. There are also flags of each nation that lost someone in the disaster.

There will be three services at the memorial today, at 8AM SL time, 2PM, and 6PM.

Stagg Island (10/152/37)

 Another memorial is Bryston Vanvleck's September 11 Memorial, located at Lanzarote (216/143/1343)

"Come join us in honoring the victims and commemorating the 15th 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."

Another memorial is at  McCoy Island (59/58/28)

Learning Virtuale has a memorial at Serena Balmoral (210/46/2001)

A website for the memorial can be found at http://www.serve.gov/?q=site-page/september-11th-national-day-service-and-remembrance

The Faces Of Our Fallen Memorial Park on Sacred Ground, Rosies Paradise (193, 65, 3501)

From 6-8PM, there will be a "Homes For Our Troops" fundraiser, with music by DJ Biker

Sugar Bay (138, 159, 20)

Bixyl Shuftan

9/11 Memorials in Second Life

It was fourteen years ago today when 19 terrorists hijacked four airliners in the United States and crashed one into the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia, and two into the World Trade Center towers in New York City. Almost three thousand people died in the attacks, and thousands more injured. Both the United States and much of the world were stunned by the atrocity, mourning those who were killed, and within weeks America would find itself launching the "War on Terror" against Islamic extremists that a decade and a half later has no end in sight.

Second Life came about less than two years after the 2001 attacks, and early on the virtual world's history, memorials to the event were created. One of the more famous was the September 11th Memorial in the dAlliez Land Headquarters sim, created by Liam Kanno (New World Notes article here). Others in the past included the Twin Towers memorial in the New York City Block sim, and the Stairclimb tribute in Aero Pines Park.

While these great memorials have faded away into the virtual nether, there are others about on the Grid today.

Stag Island has one of the more picturesque memorials one can visit. There are two square spaces in which water flows inside from all four sides, with two beams of light going up that are quite visible when seen with the viewer set at Midnight. The walls list all of those whom were killed on the attacks. Two events at the memorial are planned, at 8AM and 6PM SL time.

Stagg Island (13, 146, 37)

Another memorial is at McCoy Island. One of the towers has pictures of the fallen. The other an artistic tribute. Several events are also planned there from 3 to 9PM SL time, including several live performances.

McCoy Island (68, 49, 25)

At Learning Virtuale is a skybox memorial. I found notecards with links to websites.

Serena Balmoral (215, 37, 1801)

Over the Betonia sim was another Skybox memorial. This was a single room with a number of tribute pictures. There was a link to a tribute event for early Thursday evening.

Betonia (117, 240, 343)

Fourteen years later, the country still remembers, and will continue to remember.

Bixyl Shuftan

Star Trek Online Memorials

On Thursday March 5, The Star Trek Online MMO added some in-game memorials in response to the death of Leonard Nimoy about a week earlier. At the town square on planet Vulcan, the fountain had a statue of Spock placed with the words "Live long and prosper." There was another statue erected on New Romulus, with the words, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."

Also at New Romulus, and at the Earth Spacedocks and the Klingon homeworld of Qo'nos, there were black flags on the wall draped as a sign of respect for the fallen. There were also permanent memorial plaques at these locations in honor of Nimoy and others in real life associated with Star Trek.

Remembrance

By Gemma Cleanslate

September11, 2001 is a day of remembrance in the USA . The  towers came down one after the other following the attack of two airliners deliberately aimed aimed at the twins that stood high above New York City. Another airliner was crashed into the Pentagon in Virginia and another fell from the sky in a field in Pennsylvania, instead of making it to another destination to destroy. There will be memorials held that day in those sites and in other places to recall to mind the 2977 who perished that day. There will be a reading of all the names,  by relatives or friends or volunteers.  

In the early days of SL there were many lovely memorials on various regions and events to mark the day. As time passes, they have become fewer, as is to be expected . However, one that has continued year after year to give anyone who wishes to participate in a memory is that from Aero Pines. Every year the Cindy Bolero of  Aero Pines, with helpers reconstructs the two towers. Outside there are fire engines standing . at the entrance you can acquire fire outfits and paraphernalia and climb the stairs to the top. It is fitting for that Region to do this since it is the home of Fire and Rescue Squad . It is raised especially in memory of all the firefighters who perished trying to rescue people from the buildings that day.  I have visited every year, donned the outfit and climbed all the stairs to the top.I invite you to go and take the climb. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Equus/79/228/23

Another region that has not let go of remembering is at Stagg Island. Fazz (Fazio Magic) the owner put out this statement, “As the 13th anniversary of September 11, 2001 approaches we offer SL residents a location for reflection and solace to pray or spend respectful time to remember those precious lives lost that day.   The owner and residents of Stagg Island are very proud of the 9/11 Memorial, so much so that the creator, Fazio Magic, dedicated it to all SL residents.   The memorial is open 24 / 7 / 365.  This is a place of honor, respect and reverence.  Join us to pay homage to those people whose names are memorialized on these walls.” 

There will be a musical commemoration at the memorial on the 11th at 8am SL time and again at 7pm SL time and possibly one at noon that day depending on the attendance. The wall is covered with the names of all those who perished on the ground or in the air. It is a beautiful creation with peaceful surroundings. A place to contemplate. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/STAGG%20ISLAND/13/146/37
Join with all of us who still remember in spirit . 

Gemma Cleanslate

Other September 11th Memorials

Besides the two better know 9/11 memorials at Aero Pines Park and Stag Island, which Gemma Cleanslate wrote about, there were a few others.

 One such memorial is at McCoy Island. Around the area are a number of photographs and artworks of the disaster. There is also a gift box with a jacket and other items. The corner has a flag which changes color on occasion to another country which lost people in the tragedy.

McCoy Island (195/131/20)

Learning Virtuale had a simpler memorial, though it was expanded from the one last year. It was on top of the building.

 Serena Balmoral (219/14/1311)

One new memorial was within a skybox above the Betonia sim. This place in addition to the displays and pictures also had chairs.

"Welcome to the 9/11 Memorial - Always Remember, Never Forget. A tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001. Share words of comfort, share stories, share your sorrows and hopes for the future. Touch a candle to say a prayer. Thank you for visiting."

Betonia (21/243/343)

And finally, one memorial just down the road from the Second Life Newser office in the Sunweaver community. The Sunweaver Bay Fire Department, owned by Albert B. (albe61) aka "Bob Marley" had this memorial set up by Nana Pelazzi. It lists the names of the firefighters whom perished in the towers' collapse.

Sunweaver Bay (70/240/22)

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: " September 11 Observance in Second Life "

(Click here if the video fails to load)

From Mathew Poole, 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." The first part of the sim shows the WTC Memorial in the New York NYC sim, now gone. Then the film switches to the Stagg Island memorial.

9/11 Memorials in Second Life

September 11th still weighs heavily on Americans twelve years after the deadly terrorist attack that claimed about three thousand lives. Besides the memorials in real life, there are some set up with in Second Life. Second Life took a look at some large and small.

Read more in Places.

Black Hills Forest

Grey Lupindo's travels recently took her to Black Hills Forest. The sim owner is French, but the land is a tribute to America. One can see builds of the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore there. Plus there's a zoo, a number of historical photos on display, and more.

Read Grey's article in Places.

September 11th

My morning hours were spent in at several memorials for the victims of 9/11. At the New York World Trade Center Memorial, I sat and listened to the reading of the names. At Aero Pines in Equus, I watched the firemen tell their stories on the TV below the stairs, where you could don firefighters and make the climb up to the top.

At Stagg Island after gazing at the wall of names I went below to the bridge facing the waters representing the tears of the survivors and their families. Candles rose from the water below into the sky representing each of the victims. We shared our thoughts about the day as we sat in the bridge.

Being in Second Life to commemorate is shared with people around the world who joined us in remembering. I took these pictures to share with you.

Gemma Cleanslate

9/11 Memorials

Today is the eleventh anniversary of the September 11 Attacks, in which Islamist terrorists seized four airliners, and used them to strike the Pentagon and bring down the New York City World Trade Center. Nearly 3000 would be killed, and the United States was effectively a nation at war.

Over time in Second Life's history, there have been a number of memorials. Among those currently open are the following:


World Trade Center Memorial


Currently the most well known of the Sept. 11 memorials, it permanently stands in it's sim, the twin towers going high in to the air. One can find a replica of the girder cross, and a tribute statue to the firefighters.

New York NYC (71, 179, 22)



911 Memorial


Set in Stagg Island, I first came across this memorial last year, one with lists of the names of the fallen of Sept. 11.

Stagg Island (10, 150, 37)


9-11 Firefighters' Stairclimb Tribute


Set in Areo Pines Park, and sponsored by it's fire department, The Stairclimb Tribute is "in honor of the fallen firefighters of September 11, 2001. Join us for an engaging interactive tribute to the brave men and women who perished on that horrific day." With the option to get a set of fireman's gear at the bottom, one climbs the stairs to the top of the tower.

Equus (97, 212, 22)








Fireman’s Prayer

When I am called to duty,
whenever the flames my rage,
give me strength to save some
life whatever be their age.
Help me embrace a little child
before it is too late,
or save an old person from
the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert,
and hear the weakest shout.
And quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling
and give the best in me.
To guard my every neighbor,
protect his property.
And if according to my fate
I am to lose my life,
please bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.

9/11/01 - We will never forget

Poem by Firefighter A.W. “Smokey” Linn

Pictures from Bixyl Shuftan, Gemma Cleanslate, Destination Guide, Cindy Bolero