Veterans Day Multi-Server Event: Honor Thy Soldier, Cpt Swensen

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

From Tyrs Paladium.. to all our Veterans, our poem, which we've recited to start our ceremonies each year...

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

For the first time ever, we will be broadcasting our event Live on Raidcall.

During the broadcast, I ask everyone to please mute your mic via headset or in Raidcall, with the only exceptions being when called upon or before/after the event. Talking is purely optional, so if you'd rather just listen in, that would be PERFECT! There's a typing function build right into the program too!

For those who have NEVER used raidcall, or any other third party voice software, the step by step directions should make things easy as pie! ANY questions just ask!

RAIDCALL WONT BE REQUIRED, but it will add so much more, even if you just listen in. If you need further help setting up, please contact me and I'll get you set up!


So, lets begin:

First of all, let's download the software here. Nice, you downloaded RaidCall! Now, lets start installing.

1st step:
Choose the language and click OK


2nd step:
You will see some text, read it and click Next

3rd step:
Read the rules, If you are 13+ years old accept the license and click Next

4th step:
Choose the folder for RaidCall and click Next

5th step:
Finish the installing and run the program

6th step:
After you will run the program click at "Create a new account"

7th step:
Sign up with RaidCall

8th step:
Join with your account and connect to the DDO Veterans Day Ceremony Raidcall Group

OUR RAIDCALL ID# IS 7420176

[Bekki]

I will be proud to stand with you as always...

Thank you for doing this, it is always a moving event.

/Salute.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

I will be proud to stand with you as always...

Thank you for doing this, it is always a moving event.

/Salute.

It will be especially moving this time around, with much new material and important messages to deliver.

Once Im done I'll let you know Bekki, and dont forget to download Raidcall, as we will broadcasting live, just like a podcast, but with more interaction as folks can talk to us in certain parts !

(I will type if anyone needs, so dont worry if you cant utilize chat)

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

We have a much more varied international interest (and concerns) this time around.

Naturally since this is an American holiday, this will be a central theme in the event. However, those from around the world will realize that those in attendance will welcome all to join, as its not any one nation or political party we are focusing on, but the human element of being a soldier, and the sacrifice involved for the soldier and his/her family.

So stand there close your eyes, and imagine your nation's heroes, your flag, and those that put their lives on the line... for the true goal of this event is to bond together as brothers and sisters of peace and dignity, REGARDLESS of political or national origins.

[Bekki]

It will be especially moving this time around, with much new material and important messages to deliver.

Once Im done I'll let you know Bekki, and dont forget to download Raidcall, as we will broadcasting live, just like a podcast, but with more interaction as folks can talk to us in certain parts !

(I will type if anyone needs, so dont worry if you cant utilize chat)

Roger that.
I will work on that when I get home from W***

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Roger that.
I will work on that when I get home from W***

great. im probably going to be working on editing until Sunday. we'll do an air check then if you want!

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Thank you Jerry for helping support our event with the Chronicle mention. Means a lot.

[kamimitsu]

I just became a citizen of the USA a half year ago, and though I'm on hiatus from DDO, I wish much love to our Veterans (and Tyrs for keeping them in the spotlight every year). It takes a bigger man than I to REALLY take up arms for the rest of us.

[not serious] The next time you slaughter an entire village of Hobgoblins (in the Arzag-Khor Sewers, perhaps) remember they're just doing their job... trying to protect their brothers and their way of life, savage as it may be. YOU came down into THEIR home to pillage and destroy them, and for what? Some XP and a couple of chests with +2 half plate? Pity them and their powerlessness to stop you. Feeble furry bastards.

Don't stop cleaving them in twain with your greatsword, mind you. They're different and they deserve their demise. Plus, that Malachite Shard is worth like almost 220 XP. And you might totally pull a Greivous Blade! [/not serious]

[bulldogbreed]

Not sure if I will be able to attend but will try, as an older player with disabilities and on pain killers not always able to make schedules but my grandfather served in WWI and WWII and my father served on an aircraft carrier at the end of WWII. The concept on honouring those that served needs to be supported. Too many people nowadays neglect the efforts and sacrifices made by vets from around the world and a short time from this community will mean a lot to those who served or who have family who served.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

I just became a citizen of the USA a half year ago, and though I'm on hiatus from DDO, I wish much love to our Veterans (and Tyrs for keeping them in the spotlight every year). It takes a bigger man than I to REALLY take up arms for the rest of us.

[not serious] The next time you slaughter an entire village of Hobgoblins (in the Arzag-Khor Sewers, perhaps) remember they're just doing their job... trying to protect their brothers and their way of life, savage as it may be. YOU came down into THEIR home to pillage and destroy them, and for what? Some XP and a couple of chests with +2 half plate? Pity them and their powerlessness to stop you. Feeble furry bastards.

Don't stop cleaving them in twain with your greatsword, mind you. They're different and they deserve their demise. Plus, that Malachite Shard is worth like almost 220 XP. And you might totally pull a Greivous Blade! [/not serious]

Hahaha, no love for "Hobgoblin ingenuity" here (though I must admit my favorite phrase in the game), thanks Kamimitsu

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Not sure if I will be able to attend but will try, as an older player with disabilities and on pain killers not always able to make schedules but my grandfather served in WWI and WWII and my father served on an aircraft carrier at the end of WWII. The concept on honouring those that served needs to be supported. Too many people nowadays neglect the efforts and sacrifices made by vets from around the world and a short time from this community will mean a lot to those who served or who have family who served.

Thank you very much, and a warm thank you to your father and grandfather for serving. Come on by if you can. we'd love to have ya!

[Varhann]

Vet here. I just want to say thanks.

We fight not to be recognized, but to protect.
We don't care if you agree or disagree with what we stand for, we'll gladly give our lives for you all the same.
All we ask that is you remember us and try understand why we do what we do.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Do to the amount of international interest via the forums and especially email Ive received this year, I would like to append our title, to include Armistice Day in the forum, in game and on our videos. As anyone who's been to our ceremony knows, we welcome all, however this step should make it much more apparent to those who don't know what we do, that we wish to welcome and honor the veterans and families beyond the US as well.

For those who might be unsure of the history, the American holiday of Veteran's Day, is the same date as the International holiday "Armistice Day" which was originally to remember those who fought and often died in World War I. It has become a remembrance day in most countries for all who have fought for their countries, and in many cases, for the good of other countries in the world.

Let's reinforce that it is an Armistice Day/Veteran's Day celebration, for all who have served, and for those who also wish to honor those who have served.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Just completed our piece on Army Captain William Swensen and Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Westbrook. Goodness, there isnt gonna be a dry eye in the house. Amazing story.

[silinteresting]

first off to lesliewest guitargod let me appologise for using your thread for what i have to say
but it seems to me to be the most relevent place.

second i would like to say where i coming from, my grandfathers were both service men from
world war 2, one r.a.f and the second army. my brother is serving in the royal navy 24 years
so far and counting and my oldest daughter is also serving in the royal navy 6 years so far.
my youngest also has plans to join up either the r.a.f or navy. so as you can see i come from
a family of service personal and veterans.

now to my main point. while i commend you all for your beliefs and standing up for what you think
to be right in honouring these service people on this day, i would ask you to also remember in my opinion
the most brave people from all the wars past and present who did not buy into the jingoism
of the day by there goverment, the people who in each war who stood up for there beliefs and said
no we will not fight, no we will not kill. the Conscientious Objector.

these brave people whose stories are never really told unless they are famous, these people have
no one to remember their plight. during the first world war and previous these people were sent to camps,
slave camps. some were sent white feathers the mark of a coward.if these people were seen walking the streets
they were attacked. if they owned shops, buisnesses etc etc more often than not they were burnt to the ground.
what these people went through must of been as much of a mental torture as those who severed just different.
in world war 2 the same thing happened just more often than not these people were sent to prison or sent to slave
camps again. please look up there plights.

while today, if you stand up for what you believe as a Conscientious objector you are still vilified. if you say no
to war you are unpatriotic, a hippy a waste of space etc etc a shame really. isnt the bravery of these people
who like you stand up for there beliefs worthy of some form of celebration too.


once again i do appologise for using your thread to highlight what i have to say but it was your poster the veteran
that struck a cord within me. a poster you beleive to be right and one i believe to wrong. i will not go into the merits
of the armed forces etc etc as this is not the time or the place for such a discussion. all i will say is tho please have a
good day remembering the fallen and the serving, i will be just remembering the other side thesuffering of conscientious objectors.

your friend sil

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

first off to lesliewest guitargod let me appologise for using your thread for what i have to say
but it seems to me to be the most relevent place.

second i would like to say where i coming from, my grandfathers were both service men from
world war 2, one r.a.f and the second army. my brother is serving in the royal navy 24 years
so far and counting and my oldest daughter is also serving in the royal navy 6 years so far.
my youngest also has plans to join up either the r.a.f or navy. so as you can see i come from
a family of service personal and veterans.
your friend sil

So much truth you speak Sil. Certainly many great people - who did great things in their own way - feel the same way as you do. I for sure, always prefer peace to war. However, its my belief that freedom is not guaranteed. There's an involuntary cost factor at times. Somebody has to perform the tasks that few of us would or could. Someone has to protect, someone has to free, someone has to fight. For if noone did these things, ever, most of us would be slaves today. Startlingly to me, many volunteer to do these acts.

So you make a valid point; however this event is to honor those who did serve in the defense of freedom, such as both your grandfathers and currently your brother. It is a Veteran's Day - Armistice Day event, and we are here to simply support and appreciate our veterans.

I'm sure if someone wanted to organize an event to honor all people who served the human community, say perhaps on Earth Day, people would be more than happy to attend. I would attend such an event.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE TOMORROW!

Bekki and I will be in RAIDCALL coordinating the event, and you are WELCOME to join us. Download instructions can be found in this thread. Send me a pm if you are unsure of anything.

If you want to just be there and not listen in, thats fine too, you'll be able to follow along just fine.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

A very important man we are paying our respects to tomorrow, is Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Westbrook. I've been informed that a family friend of Westbrook will be in attendance (psyb3rtr011 from Neverwinter) so I've updated my Medal of Honor video with a tribute to this great man.

Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth W. Westbrook died Oct. 7 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.

Westbrook, 41, was injured Sept. 8 2009 when insurgents attacked his unit in Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.


Westbook grew up in Shiprock, N.M., and joined the Army after graduating from Shiprock High School in 1987. He lived with his wife and three sons in Fountain, Colo., and his family says he planned to retire from the service in November of 2009 after a 22-year career.


Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. ordered flags on the reservation to be flown at half-staff from Oct. 14 to Oct. 17 to honor him. Tomorrow, Tyrs Paladium and the communities of DDO & Neverwinter will tell this extraordinary man's story, how he made it home.

RIP Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Westbrook.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

3 hours till we form, -- Come join us!