Death of a Gamer

[Quendishir]

On 11 September 2012, attacks were made against both American embassies in Egypt and Libya. Muslim extremists, under the guise of anger over a "movie" that depicted Muhammed in a negative light assaulted both embassies. While the embassy officials in Egypt were unhurt, Libya did not fair as well. Ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed, along with three other people: one State Department worker and two United States Marines who were part of the embassy';s guard unit.

The state department worked was named Sean Smith. He was a veteran in the armed forces, having served in the Air Force, and a veteran in the State Department. He had worked there for a decade, and beein some of the worst places one could imagine because of the timing.

I first met Sean Smith in 2006. I had been attached temporarily to a Marine FAST Team that had been undermanned because of deployments. I wasn't supposed to be considered part of the unit, but because of the 2006 Israeli-Lebanon war, the unit was mobilized and those of us who had been tasked to it went with them. As we protected the embassy in Israel, I met the man. I likable man in his own right, he made the men in the unit feel at ease. He had a sense about him that he knew what he was doing, and everything was going to be alright. The unit's gunnery sergeant, who was notorious for his dislike of civilians, even took a shine to him. But when a man is helping you set up defensive emplacements, helping you to carry around M240G machine guns and ammunition, you tend to look over that small point. We were there to make sure American citizens got out safely. We did our job.

I didn't realize that he had been playing EVE Online like I was. I literally only found out because of the forums, and seeing his picture I knew it was him. I hadn't spoken to him in years, but it still it me hard. I'll admit, I cried. This man loved his diplomatic job so much that at night, he turned on his computer and did it again. He did this for one of the largest alliances in the EVE universe. Whatever you may think about EVE, know that this man was well-respected by allies and enemies alike.

The United States mourns the loss of life at its embassy. The EVE Online community - and the gaming community in general - mourns for the loss of one of our own. Whatever your nationality, you must respect that the man tried to foster friendship between nations.

Semper Fi, Sean.

Patrick M. Kilroy
(EVE Online persona: Anya Klibor)

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Yeah this is an incredible story. When I first read about it online, I had to check twice that I was on a legitimate news website. Now I see this. It's a small, small world.

Diplomats. So few realize the great work they do, and far fewer truly understand why they do it. It appears from all accounts that Ambassador Christopher Stevens died doing what he loved doing, made a real difference, and I hope he'll be remembered as a beacon of light, of peace. One of our country's greatest representatives.

[Quendishir]

Yeah this is an incredible story. When I first read about it online, I had to check twice that I was on a legitimate news website. Now I see this. It's a small, small world.

Diplomats. So few realize the great work they do, and far fewer truly understand why they do it. It appears from all accounts that Ambassador Christopher Stevens died doing what he loved doing, made a real difference, and I hope he'll be remembered as a beacon of light, of peace. One of our country's greatest representatives.

Yeah, supposedly Sean had been in Baghdad in 2007. He was still playing EVE then, and he'd be on Ventrilo with his corpmates and they'd hear the sirens, followed by him saying, "****, incoming!" There'd be a few minutes where everyone's freaking out because Katyusha's landed and they weren't sure if he was dead. Then he'd key up and say something like, "****ing hajjis."

I guess the last words his corpmates heard from him were, "****, gunfire!" and then nothing. He was apparently killed after that.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Yeah, supposedly Sean had been in Baghdad in 2007. He was still playing EVE then, and he'd be on Ventrilo with his corpmates and they'd hear the sirens, followed by him saying, "****, incoming!" There'd be a few minutes where everyone's freaking out because Katyusha's landed and they weren't sure if he was dead. Then he'd key up and say something like, "****ing hajjis."

I guess the last words his corpmates heard from him were, "****, gunfire!" and then nothing. He was apparently killed after that.

That's just unbelievable, but I suppose pretty darn close to what probably happened.

Its a small damned world, and it really goes to show you how real people are behind these monitors. It shows how gaming is a release for not just kids any longer. It's a very different world.

[Bekki]

I am sorry for your loss,
I am sure he will be missed.

/Salute

Semper Fidelis

Bekki

(Former) SGT. USMC