"It is important to note that the US military does not just go to war ... we also provide support for others in the form of protection & aid when it is asked for or needed, such as humanitarian aid following tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, and yes... war..." These words were spoken this morning by Dahlea Milena, a Cherokee Native American and 22 year veteran of the United States Armed forces who served in Persian Gulf during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, but who also served in United Nations humanitarian work. She is currently 100% disabled.
We were on Second Life's Patriot Island, the location of the U.S. Military Veterans Center, owned by the US Military Veteran group, which emphasizes that it is not a role play group. Membership, currently about 900, is restricted to veterans and current active members of United States armed forces, and their families. "Mostly we provide a social center for US Military Veterans, family & supporters," Dahlea said, "We also offer links to resources for Veterans information & benefits." She also mentioned a very important way in which Second Life can serve veterans who are incapacitated, saying that for "any disabled person who may be homebound due to their circumstances ... SL offers both a social networking opportunity, and the chance to do things that a disabled person can no longer do in RL."
The Tomb of the Unknown, shown in this picture, stands at the center of Patriot Island, with a 24 hour honor guard and surrounded by the U.S. flag and flags of the various services.
The center provides a number of services to veterans. A multistory office building contains a lobby with extensive information for veterans and active duty members. Upstairs, there are offices and resources of groups that include Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Marine Corps League, National Native American Veterans Association, Veterans Support Network, PTSD Anonymous, Homefront SL - Military Family Support, and the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Unit. Resources in the building include links to information about PTSD, suicide prevention, veterans benefits, and articles about veterans.
For veterans seeking to learn more about Second Life and to customize their appearance, there is a Welcome Center and the nearby SL Nex. Other facilities include a Conference Center that can be reserved, a chapel, a memorial to MIA's and POWs, areas dedicated to each of the services, including the Coast Guard, and several memorials to individuals who have died in service.
Second Life members can visit the U.S. Military Veterans Center by clicking
slurl.com/secondlife/Patriot%20Island/181/87/29.
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All photographs in this report are by ©2009 by Erik Gordon Bainbridge. All rights reserved.
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