Echovets: Band of Brothers

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

There's a new sim and group in Second Life for veterans: EchoVets - Band of Brothers

A place for Veterans by Veterans.  Newcomer friendly, VA Information, PTSD, Suicide Awareness, education, dance, free, gardens, fountain, games. Camaraderie with those that speak your language.  ALL are welcome, Brothers and Sisters.

I was told a little beforehand about the lady who ran it, Stacy Maracas. She has been in Second Life since Oct 2004, almost 18 years, and in real life works at a veterans center, her profile stating "ANYTHING a Veteran may have a question about, I am your resource, and if I do not know the answer, I assure you I will get it."

I contacted Stacy, and a meeting was soon arranged, "Been working my butt off," she commented when we met up, "I love busy.  If I didn't I'd be screwed, I wear too many hats to not like it." I mentioned that she had been a longtime resident, and asked how she got here. "I was apart of Second Life through friends in 2003," she told me, "I borrowed a friend's alternate, and came here as a lady named Kiwi." She chuckled, "I fell in love with it here, so first of October 2004 I created me. I like my name better. So next month, 18 years," she smiled, "I'm almost officially an adult in Second Life!

"There was no islands or anything then, only mainland, very small very cool. Also no skin, prim hair, and really bad clothing. But we ll thought we were the hottest things ever. HAH!"

I asked her how things went after her entrance. She answered, "It was well, a learning curve.  I was a Mafia Godmother here, roleplay etc.  It was a lot of fun to be honest, but the longer I was here I could see potential in just being myself here. I have always been myself, but I mean no roleplaying etc, just good 'ol Stacy which is my real-life name as well. I have been much happier since making the decision, have met some amazing friends here, and many that I came here with 18 yrs ago. I am still very close too and stay in touch here and in real-life. That is what kept me coming back, now that. And this sim is what will keep me here for a long time to come."

I then asked her what gave her the idea for the Band of Brothers sim. Stacy told me, "In my real world job, I work for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, at a place called The Vet Center in Lake Havasu, Arizona.  My proper job title is Veteran's Outreach Program Specialist or VOPS.  MY job everyday is to help Veterans.  I am a female combat Veteran myself (Desert Storm), so this is my passion and who I am.  I had reached out to the Lindens to ask them to put me on the destination guide and the itty-bitty land I had.

"Madori Linden reached out to me and asked me to have a meeting with her, and she is very passionate about Veterans, and suggested this sim, as a non--profit.  The non-profit I am President of in real-life is EchoVets.org Band of Brothers.  I got our EIN (the letter of proof from the IRS that the organization is a legitimate and registered Non-profit 501 3C) from our President to show off to Linden Labs of our legitimacy as a non-profit, the President wrote them a letter approving me to work on behalf of our group, I was given the price for a non-profit sim, and here we are.  Idea in full and now a reality. so to speak. Ha!"

Stacy went on, "There is a kiosk near the gigantic photo album that tells you about our real-life organization.  Also behind me is the kiosk of my military story, I remain transparent for trust purposes, as many Veterans in SL (including myself) have had their trust broken by others, and I refuse to be that person to them as I am here to help everyone. ... With Veterans, we have trust issues to begin with especially after combat or MST, so Second Life can be a very rough place at time when not everyone is honest.  However its also very healing on the other end of the spectrum as for many of our Veterans this is the only socialization they get."

Of the sim, getting a wide-shot of the whole place took a little time so things could rezz, but it was soon done. She stated she "wanted it to be a nice place, not only for education but to hang out as well." She did note one corner didn't have much on it for the time being, "and as you can see, one small area I'm waiting for items for to finish."

I pointed out the large building near us, which was close to the landmark location I was given. Stacy smiled, "This is the grand hall. Inside we will hold classes, Q & A's, Suicidal Awareness training for Veterans and people who work with Vets, PTSD classes, and a plethora of other things to aide in helping our Veterans AND their families and friends. (We will) have guest speakers, some from the VA, the President of the organiztion will come, and other guest speakers."

She pointed out the kiosks around the area, "Each of these kiosks out here have notecard information in them, we will actually have classes on each of them as well, with room for Q & A, etc."

At one point, Stacy had to take a break in the interview to take a phone call. She came back, and I brought up other places on the sim. "A club too, some small homes," she told me, "all of it to make it feel comfortable and a fun place to hang out/ We will do some club type events etc as well, but definitely not our focus. Our focus is socialization, education and helping one another."

I noticed a Vet Center. "Yes it is the main center," she told me, "set up as a familiar place to Veterans, and for future of what is to come, possible one on one counseling from our employees and simply being available in either world." She pointed out other places, "There is also a very large soldiers memorial fountain. I tried to have nice spots throughout to see and check out." Of the one corner that didn't have so much, "The last open spot net to the fountain will have some military vehicles displayed ... prior to the grand opening, just waiting for delivery."

I asked if anything inspired the particular designs of some of the places on the sim. Stacy answered, "When I found the hall it reminded me of the large place we would have our military training in, in Europe. So I had to have it and decided that would be used for the classes.  I wanted the Vet Center building to be professional yet welcoming as the Vet Center is in real-life and found that building it was perfect, the rest honestly no. I wanted memorial to my fallen brothers and sisters, hence the fountains. 

 

"Small items will be added here and there, but for the most part, the rest of the design was just what was in my head and what I know Veterans will want as a place to come and hang out. ... that is all that matters, and of course, breaking down some walls and making my brothers and sisters get off their butts and come socialize, and come seek help even if they don't know they need it."

Near the end, Stacy would say, "We all have two most important days of our lives.  One is the day we are born, and second is the day we figure out why. This is my why. I had REASONS to not take my own life, my children needed me, etc, but I had never found my WHY.  EchoVets.org Band of Brothers is my why, having the 'six' of my brothers and sisters and helping them thru their journeys so no Veteran ever has to be in a dark place again." She thanked me for taking the time to ask about the sim and reporting on it.

On a final note, while Stacy and I were talking, one of the Vet Centers counselors came by and noticed the computer screen. Seeing what was going on, she asked if "Fox News' had arrived.

The sim is located at: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/EchoVets%20BandofBrothers/166/212/23

Bixyl Shuftan

Flattop Ewing and Sarah Ewing on the Veterans Tribute

By Bixyl Shuftan

When I was contacted about the Veterans Tribute, it was suggested that I talk to Flattop Ewing. Flattop I was told had returned after an absence to help organize the Tribute and it's music events. So I contacted him, and we arranged a time to meet up for an interview. We soon met up at the Tribute grounds, with his partner Sarah Ewing (SexySarah Svenska). "It has been amazing this year," Sarah spoke about the event. Flattop mused, "is my tie straight for the interview? ... I used the good deodorant."

I asked Flattop how the Tribute got started. He answered, "I started it 13 yrs ago in a club as just a two day event (with) two hours each day. There were no memorials, there was no wall at that time. I was just a DJ that wanted to do something regarding veterans. I was truly unprepared for the response it would receive. The first day was a good response for the two hour gig.  The second day we nearly crashed the sim with people trying to come in."

The club, Rockstar, would since close down. But Flattop was in position to repeat the tribute a second time in 2007, "By then Sarah and I had opened up our own club and bought a sim.  We picked up the club and put the tribute together.  We sought out various creators all over Second Life that we had seen create various memorials." "And the wall was born," Sarah added.

Flattop went on, "That's also when we realized what we felt the tribute was to become, was bringing together different people and showcasing their talents and their desires to honor veterans in their own way. That second year we actually had DJs and live entertainers come to us asking to be a part of it.  I honestly don't remember the number of events, but we had I think four days of events." I asked more about the wall. Flattop answered, "Initially the wall was just representing those that were assisting to coordinate the tribute and our friends.  Then we (had) visitors that would start asking to add their real-life loved ones to the wall to honor them." And how many bricks had names put on them? "There were a lot," Flattop answered, "I remember logging in each morning and having a lot of them to make. I think we ended with something around fifty blocks compared to the ten we started with of coordinators and friends. Wildroses Pevensey does them now and she does an amazing job.

The tribute became larger, "The next couple years we had some other close friends, some of them veterans themselves, become part of the tribute staff.  We received such a response still even more than we imagined.  We had a Second Life flight squadron do an air show and give helicopter rides to those visiting the tribute. Again, the wall (was) growing and becoming the focal point of the entire tribute. The venue always a place for those within Second Life to come reflect and remember those that have served or are serving."

The 2010 Tribute would be the last Flattop and Sara would manage, "In 2011 Wildroses Pevensey, another coordinator took over when real-life called us out of game until recently." Sara would comment, "She and Sabre, another officer, built this SIM up this year, too.  It is beautiful and reflective." Flattop went on, "We felt that it was part of the tribute taking on a life of it's own, to honor all veterans around the world."

Of the wall right now, Flattop would say, "currently on the wall are about 900 names. I'm not sure how many have been added so far this year." Of the conflicts the veterans were in, "Names range from WWI through current, including WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Desert Storm, and some that were submitted for other country's conflicts, and of course those that are currently serving as well."

And of the smaller events, which did Flattop find the most memorable? He answered, "My personal favorite was when we had an air show." Sarah commented, "It isn't so much an event, for me, it is the wall and the stories people have of their own, or a loved one's, they have to tell.  So many amazing stories of so many lives, we have been honored to hear through the years."

I asked about this year's smaller music events. Flattop told me, "We have a handful of DJs that have offered their time this year for around Veterans Day weekend.  As Sarah had mentioned, real-life had pulled us out of Second Life for some time.  We only came back a few months ago, and unfortunately we weren't able to get more events like we hoped." One event they planed would be held on the Veterans Isle sim instead, an anniversary party for the US Marines. "The US Military Veterans group was gracious to offer to host the Marine Corps Birthday Ball this year," Flattop told me, "I will be DJing the ball on Nov. 9th at 6pm, The day before the actual Marine Birthday."

While I was there, several people dropped by the Tribute. Sarah and Flattop would greet them, answer any questions, and the people would go on to look around.

Of their future plans, Sarah told me, "We have tossed around the idea of having a traditional USO show, if we could get it together.  We are also looking for more interactive content that people can walk through, etc, to have." Flattop added, "We would also like to bring back an air show at some point as well. The first and foremost has always been about the Veterans and the wall. As Second Life continues to grow and change, we never know what might be available to do in future years."

It was soon time to part, and I asked them if they had anything else to mention. Flattop answered, "We are continuing to look for more content from around the world. We would also like to have a little bit of a learning aspect for those that may not know some of the historical aspects of Veterans Day/Armistice Day."

Be sure to drop by the Veterans Tribute at Northern Lights (129/32/38). Music events are being planned there for Saturday  November 9 to Monday November 11.

Bixyl Shuftan

Interview with Frets Nirvana

By Bixyl Shuftan

Frets Nirvana is a musician in Second Life best known for the benefits he helps organize at Veterans' Isle every month. Just before the concert in May, I had a chance to interview him and ask him a few questions.

Bixyl Shuftan: "So how did you find out about Second Life?"

Frets Nirvana: "Through a former employee and friend, Von Johin. He was performing in SL, told me about it and helped me get started."

Bixyl Shuftan: "So you had a friend performing here? What did he tell you about it?"

Frets Nirvana: "He basically said it was fun and you could actually make money performing (at that time! Ha-ha!) Anyhow, he had not heard me play before although he had worked for me. When he heard me play ... he said they would love what I do musically in SL ... and encouraged me to perform in SL."

"That was about five years ago now ..... Due to real-life he is no longer performing in SL, but he used to a lot."

Bixyl Shuftan: "How did your first few days go here?"

Frets Nirvana: "Well the first performance was great. I performed at his venue and he helped promote it. We had sixty people that night. After that his manager helped promote me and I was off and running ......playing a lot of covers with my own arrangements of other people's tunes."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Sixty people, that's pretty good."

Frets Nirvana: "Yeah ...Von was pretty well established at that time, so it helped. After that though ...it was a lot of hard work, and a bit of a struggle. I was not singing at that time ...just doing all instrumental. So it was a harder sell."

Bixyl Shuftan: "About what point did you include singing?"

Frets Nirvana: "I also tried doing a duo with a female singer. That was going well ... unitl (laughter) she bumped me and went on her own. Kind of the story of my musical life with singers."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oops, what happened after that?"

Frets Nirvana: "I strated singing about six months after I entered Second Life. I had never sang lead vocal before ...just backup. But I figured out that I needed to sing if I was to have more success in SL, and well ... I just jumped in and worked on it and went for it. (laughter) Hopefully not offending anyone. Along with my guitar playing it is something that I have worked on a good bit. Although I will probably never be a love song singer."

"Kind of like everything for me in life ....I just make a decision that I am going to go for something, and work hard at it and do it."

Bixyl Shuftan: "What did audiences think at first?"

Frets Nirvana: "Well ...(laughter) nobody left due to singing to my knowledge. And they seemed to like it, and my crowd and bookings grew ... so guess it was a good decision."

Bixyl Shuftan chuckles a bit

Frets Nirvana: "But of course ...guitar picking has always been the feature."

Bixyl Shuftan nods, "when did the idea first come to you about doing bennefit events for veterans?"

Frets Nirvana: "That idea came about the same time ... about six months after starting performing in Second Life.  I saw all the activity forRelay for Life, and some other causes, and thought 'gee, why not for vets?' If not for them we could not be doing any kind of benefit for other causes .... or for that matter Second Life ... huh, trying living in Syria or Iran!"

"So, I took the initiative, and started it. Take note,I am not a vet. I just feel strongly about what they do and how they sacrifice, and how they should be supported. ESPECIALLY in today's world.

Bixyl Shuftan nods again, "How did the veterans respond to your idea?"

Frets Nirvana: "Well, once I figured out who to get in contact with, they responded well and jumped right in. Some of the original people involved are no longer in SL much, but it has kept on going. Dahlea Milena is a BIG part of that at this time. She has been sooo helpful and supportive."

Bixyl Shuftan nods, "I recall the events were first at Patriot Island for Wounded Warriors"

Frets Nirvana: "In general though ....it all had to picked up by the bootstraps at first of course .... And yes, until last fall, all were for Wounde Warriors Project. I switched allegiance to Homes For Our Troops at that time. one main reason, lack of support by WWP. I won't go into that any further. They still do good work but HFOT is much more supportive and I feel that the percentage of dollars that actually help Vets is higher with HFOT."

Bixyl Shuftan: "What was the most successful of these events?"

Frets Nirvana: "Mmmm ,,,, well it is really hard to say on that. It varies really, and so far I have not really found a definite 'this is the best.' But I can say this soemtimes we have raised as much as 300,000 Linden for vets in one month. I keep trying to keep the trend going up."

Bixyl Shuftan nods, "I wasn't familiar with Homes For Our Troops before. Where did you hear about them?"

Frets Nirvana: "I found HFOT on the web. I was searching for an organization that would be more supportive, and I talked to a lot of them. Amazingly, many did not want to get involved, and I have some theories on that (government!). But HFOT jumped right in and said yes."

"I hope we can honor that support with soem excellent donations going to HFOT. They do great work."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Sounds great. Did they have someone who was familiar with Second Life?"

Frets Nirvana: "No, they were not familiar with Second Life. I had to educate them on it. But they were open right away to hearing about it. Others seemed to resist.""We have sent over $45000 to help veterans through WWP and HFOT in the last five years."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Forty-five thousand dollars, that's pretty impressive."

Frets Nirvana: "I would like to do that in one year! An then increase it from there (laughter)."LOL

Bixyl Shuftan: "Heh heh ... Have any of the veterans made an effort to involve another charity?"

Frets Nirvana: "Yet ... on an aside, Relay for Life states they $250,0000 in one year, so why not for vets? Not that RFL is not a good cause."

"Not aware of vets trying for another charity. But if they do,good for them. But I know what I went through getting this set up, a lot of work."

Bixyl Shuftan: "What other benefits for veterans in Second Life have you heard of?"

Frets Nirvana: "Well ....I haven't really ...."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Just one time performances and nothing else on a regular basis?"

Frets Nirvana: "Usually .... Since I have been involved in this for some time now, if someone wants to do something for vets they will contact me, and I give them donation kiosks etc. .... there are others who do benefits, but they will use our donation kiosks etc."

"So if that is what you mean, there are venues here and there that do things, but not on a regular basis like our monthly benefit. But I WELCOME that big time. Our vets need all the help we can get. RFL does not, collects $250,000 with one benefit! (laughter) But I don't have the time to organize what they do."

Bixyl Shuftan nods, "Besides the charity events, can you tell me what else goes on at Veterans Isle?"

Frets Nirvana: "As far as Veteran's Isle .... candidly you would have to talk with Dahlea about that."

Bixyl Shuftan nods, "Did you have any plans for special events soon?"

Frets Nirvana: "Well, we have one event a month that I organize,last Sunday each month. That is about all the time that I have to be able to organize an event. But I definitely welcome anyone who wants to put something together for HFOT. ... this months benefit, May 31. Then the next one will be June 28 .... etc. Always last Sunday of each month from 5-9 PM at Veteran's Isle. That way we have at least one benefit, and hopefully establish a schedule that people put on their calendar."

Bixyl Shuftan nods, "Were there any venues that you performed at which had benefits of their own?

Frets Nirvana: "Not on a regular basis .... thinking about it, I cannot highlight any that I perform at that have benefits for vets. But I would welcome that."

Bixyl Shuftan checks the time, "Was there anything else that you wanted to mention?"

Frets Nirvana: "Just that I encourage people to take the time out of their busy lives and think about the needs of our wounded veterans ....and help as they can. And if anyone wants to sponsor an event for HFOT, contact me."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Thank you for your time and good luck."

It was then that we parted ways. Shortly afterward, Frets messaged me about one more detail, "Here are a couple more names that have been very supportive.  Jardasius Ecksol, Checkers Firelight and Vicktoreeia Resident. They are the primary ones that come to mind that sponsor events other than our monthly benefit. They do a lot with motorcycle clubs in Second Life. If you do mention other people, please make sure to mention them."

Shortly after this interview, the May 31st benefit on Veterans Isle took place. It was a success, raising 200,000 Lindens. Frets is still doing well at what he does. The next fundraiser there is Sunday June 28. Before then, he can be found performing at a few venues across the Grid.

Bixyl Shuftan

A Marine's Story

At the Second Life Veteran’s Tribute, the most prominent feature that appeared again from last year, and before, was the Memorial Wall. SLVT Volunteer Wildroses Pevensey informed me, “We have some new blocks that are in the newer section of the wall this year, a drummer boy from the Union Army. He lied about his age and enlisted when he was 14.” Volunteer Wellhung would later tell me he was a family relation to one of the Flying Tigers group.

Wildroses went on, “We also have a block of veterans, submitted by one of their brothers. He comes every year to honor them. There are ten of them. His name is Laken Titanium. Never have I been brought to tears, every year I see him, I cry.” She sniffled a little, “His devotion is amazing, very very amazing young man. ... He will talk about it to honor them, I am sure. ... He does roll call every year.”

As as fate would have it, Wildroses spotted Laken online. She told me where he was, and I began walking in that direction. As it turned out, Laken was wearing a costume, “Sorry ... Last thing I was wearing when I was last on.” Noticing my title, he asked a little about the paper. We talked a bit, joined by a HarleyQuinn Paulse, Sumaryo Asamoah of the JG 52 group, and then Wildroses. “Hello Wild,” he greeted her, “been too long.” HarleyQuinn mentioned, “Last year I remember, Laken and a few other veterans doing a salute to his fallen brothers. It was pretty moving. Another friend of mine had to walk away, couldn’t take the memories ya know.”

Laken then offered to show me the stones of his fallen comrades, “All of them were with the unit I was with during my time in the Marine Corps. Would you care to meet them? I am sure they would love a visitor to tell their story.” We then walked over, and saw the names, each similar in appearance, notably that they all fell in Iraq not long apart.

“Pfc. Christian D. Gurtner, 19, was killed April 2nd by a non-combat weapons discharge in Southern Iraq.”

“Pfc. James R. Dillon Jr., 19, died of a self inflicted gunshot wound in Kuwait.”

“LCPL Reppuhn died as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, took a bullet through the neck.” Laken hesitated, “watched him bleed out in front of us. He was 20 and just married before deployment.”

“Sgt Davis was a fine Marine. He instilled in all of us, but me especially, honor courage and commitment. (He) just had his 2nd son, killed Jan. 6 by enemy action in Anbar province, Iraq.”

“PFC Hanson, Sgt Williams, LCPL Butterfield, CPLP Baucus: all died the same day, a day I won’t forget. All four were in a building that collapsed from a nearby explosion. Baucus ran back into the building to get other personnel out after firing the initial rounds that stopped the VBIED - a truck with explosives. It detonated causing lots of damage to surrounding buildings and wounding several people, trying to evacuate the building with my other Marines. He lost his life trying to preserve that of others.”

“HN Kenyon's vehicle was hit by a roadside IED. He was our Corpsman who take care of us. Yet nothing we could do for him when his vehicle was destroyed, no way to fix a mangled corpse.”

“The next day, LCPL Newman and Cpl Galvez, both killed by sniper rounds from a mosque that we were not able to engage because of civilians. That happened a month before we were due to come home, and a day after losing Doc Kenyon.”

“LCPL Harris, he was killed in a house doing his job. A grenade exploded at the top of a staircase, in which I wasn't able to pull him back in time. He was 23 and just had a child 3 weeks prior.”

“LCPL Weaver was another example of a fine Marine, one of the finest I served with in my time in my squad. He passed away four days after being shot by a RPG, blew up behind him setting him on fire.”

Laken paused before speaking again, “Sadly, many just see names on a wall. I cannot. These were my brothers, my friends, my family, who came to do a job most wouldn’t, or couldn’t, do. I miss them every day. On many occasions, I wonder, why them and not me. I will never know that answer. ... maybe to tell their story so others may not forget, because I know I never will.”

“People say I am a hero for serving. No, not at all. These are the real heroes. They are my heroes.”

“So please, tell this story, their story.”

“ I appreciate it as I am sure these fine Marines appreciate it as well. Because coming back to this, I remember them as they were. And they will be here every year, somewhere, always, on Veterans Day. Even with tears welling up, I know they didn’t do it for nothing.”

“Everyone in Second Life knows somene on this well, if their name is up here or not. We all know someone doing the unimaginable somewhere, protecting our rights of living and breathing as a human race. Beyond religion, politics, race, or creed, someone somewhere has died for a belief we have, be it Democracy, Socialism, Marxism, or Capitalism.”

“I have seen many names from others, here from other countries, serving for what they believed right. Even if I don’t have the same belief, they deserve to be remembered. Because with this job, this duty to one’s self and country, takes such dedication, it may cost you up to and including your life. And life being as precious as most vets see it, its what we sign up for. This is something we can’t forget. It’s something we won’t forget.”

“That is my story, but mostly, this is the story of everyone on this wall, a place to be remembered. This is why I came here every year to reflect on these great men and women who paid the ultimate price to protect what they believe. I forget who first said this quote, but it holds true in this instance, ‘ I would rather live and die on my feet, then live and die on my knees.’ ”

Bixyl Shuftan