Memorial Day

Memorial Day is often thought of in the United States as the unofficial start of summer. A day off to relax, maybe fire up the grill for a barbecue.

Not what the real reason the day is for: a day to honor those who lost their lives defending the country. And Second Life has it's share of places where memorials to fallen have been placed.

Probably the best known of these memorials is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Second Life, sometimes known as "The Wall." Opened in November 2007, it is still up and continues to draw many visitors.

"The Wall" sim has it's own website at http://www.thewallsl.com.

To get to the Vietnam Wall, Click Here for the SURL at The Wall (39, 32, 25).



Other memorials in Second Life are less well known. Among these is the TLE Memorial in the Raziel sim. The TLE (The Learning Experience) area is more noted for it's building classes and classroom lectures. But one building was set aside as a memorial, where for a donation one can have a stone set up to honor someone. Not just Americans are represented here, but Canadians, British, and others.

Jacob Barton, one of the soldiers dedicated in this picture (second down on the right row), was Lothi Aeon in Second Life, whom lost his life trying to save a comrade one year ago.

The TLE War Memorial is at Raziel (59,61,22).

* * * Addition added later in the day * * *

There are also numerous smaller memorials. Memorials set up as simple reminders for those who gave their all. Among them is the one set up at the Southern Colorado sim by Daaneth Kivioq.

“I have had for a long time a small memorial located on my sim. I invite you to come here for a few moments to reflect on the gift those brave men and women have given us.”

The memorial isn’t much compared to The Wall, a flowerbed and a couple flags. And a plaque reading:

“My Angel, his name is Freedom - Choose him to be your king;
He shall cut pathways east and west, And fend you with his wing.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dedicated to all those who have given life or limb
in the service of the Angel named Freedom

The Southern Colorado memorial is at (129, 41, 25).

"A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his/her life, wrote a 'Blank Check' made Payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to And including my life.' Veterans didn't have the luxury to choose Where, When, How, or even IF they will 'make that payment'. They merely do their duty day in and day out knowing that they've written that check that some day may be 'Cashed!' That is Honor." - Author Unknown.

Bixyl Shuftan

Passover Service in Second Life

On Palm Sunday, March 28 at 6 PM SL time, the Eternal Creations sim hosted a Passover service in Second Life. It was held by You Are Loved Ministries.

The sim was packed with many dozens, almost all in the building, 80 counted by SL Newspaper, and another visitor saying there were 86 at one point. To help reduce the effects of lag somewhat, the building was over 2000 m in the air. Those entering were asked to take a seat, and upon doing so were given a “seder plate” and asked to “wear” it. When rezzed, a meal of several dishes, a couple bowls of water, and a goblet of wine appeared on the table in front of the person seated.

Judah Sorbet and Rivakah Sorbet headed the service, with the help of some such as Eve Clarity. One of the guests named by Judah was from Sri Lanka. Judah then began talking about the story of Passover in Exodus. The Old Testament explains ten plagues were sent by God against Egypt before Pharaoh would finally release the Israelite slaves. Before the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, Moses ordered all Israelite households to take an unblemished lamb, and on the night of the plague slaughter it, avoiding breaking any of its bones in the process, and put it’s blood on the doorframe. This way, the plague “passed over” the Israelite homes.

Why celebrate Passover as Christians? Judah explained there were several reasons, notably the connection of the slaughtered lamb to Christ’s crucifixion, hence Christ is refereed to as “the Lamb of God.” So some Christians hold Passover services, this one in Second Life including the “seder” ritual feast normally associated with Jewish tradition.

Judah went over the order in which a Passover seder meal is eaten, then showed a film to those attending, depicting the Israelites under brutal slavery, then Moses bringing about the ten plagues, the scene of the plague of frogs particularly amusing with Pharaoh waking up finding himself covered in them. The film ended with the Israelites freedom.

Judah also pointed out there was a notecard giver in the corner for the history of the Easter Bunny (http://www.answers.com/topic/the-easter-bunny) and Easter eggs (http://www.answers.com/topic/easter-egg).

It was then time to begin the seder. Step by step, Judah and Rivakah explained to the attendees where to click on the seder plate, and what that part of the meal symbolized in detail. For instance, to the side of the plate was a package of three pieces of flat matzah bread. Following the washing hands and the appetizer, the dipping of vegetables in salt water, people were asked to click on the matzah bread. Doing so, the middle piece appeared on top. Clicking on it again, the piece was broken in half. The larger half was called the “afikoman,” and clicking on the package again, it would appear to be wrapped up in cloth and put aside for later.

Later in the meal, one would click on the matzo bread and the “maror,” horseradish for this particular seder, and on top of the matzo package a sandwich made up of the two would appear, which would take a few clicks of the mouse for it to be virtually eaten.

Some people had better luck in getting the virtual seder plate to work than others. With so many present, lag inevitably froze many at some point. Still, there were a number of complementary remarks from the audience. One spoke out he was planning to use this to help explain Christianity to others. Others saw it as more of looking at the history behind practices.

Once the seder was complete, everyone was asked to get up and walk back to the entrance. With many dozens in the room, most lagged a bit, but eventually everyone gathered there. People were offered a free gift by clicking on a gift bag, then asked to head into the next room. Inside was a depiction of Ancient Egypt, with sand and the pyramids. Everyone was asked to walk up to the edge of the Red Sea. Once everyone was there, it parted (the water gray with lag), and everyone then crossed.

At the end, Judah Sorbet invited those who turned away from church to come back, “maybe this is the first time you’ve ever heard this message.” He began a prayer, and invited all to join in. Following that, a helper named Sonic Ring played some guitar music, singing Christian songs.

An interesting look at a religious ritual, as only Second Life can show it.

Bixyl Shuftan

Remembering Pearl Harbor

In the Oahu sim lies a virtual replica of the USS Arizona Memorial, built in honor of the servicemen who fell at Pearl Harbor. On December 7th at 2 PM, a ceremony was held in remembrance.

Read the full story in Community.