DDO Community Gathers for Veterans Worldwide. Transcript 2013

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Hello and welcome all to our Veterans Day Ceremony! This is also known as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, and we sincerely thank our international brothers & sisters to stand with us here today.

For all you non Ghallandians, my name is LeslieWest_GuitarGod on the DDO forums. I am in the Tyrs Paladium guild here on Ghallanda. I will be the MC for today's ceremony.

Thank you all for taking a bit of time away from questing to be here tonight.

As we begin, I'd like to start with a poem. Its a simple, but powerful and memorable poem. We in Tyrs Paladium have used it in every ceremony we've ever done.



"It is the Veteran, not the reporter,
Who has given us Freedom of the Press.

It is the Veteran, not the poet,
Who has given us Freedom of Speech.

It is the Veteran, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the Freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Veteran, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial;

And it is the Veteran--who salutes the flag,
Who serves the flag, and
Whose coffin is draped by the flag--
Who allows the protester to burn the flag."


-------------

"In Flanders Fields" is the most notable poem written during World War I. Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote it on 3 May 1915, after he witnessed the death of his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, 22 years old, the day before.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

The Story of Capt. William Swenson and Sgt. Kenneth Westbrook

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Ode to Our Disabled Gamers On Armistice Day / Veterans Day

TO GAME DEVELOPERS: These heroes, military or otherwise, deserve better. Who will be the next company that will stand up for those that NEED additional accessibility? Turbine? Cryptic? Someone else? I know one thing, they should be involved with Dungeons & Dragons.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Tyrs Paladium Guild Salutes SSGT Tim Chambers

[HungarianRhapsody]

https://www.ddo.com/en/community/community-guidelines

13. Discussion of religious or political topics is prohibited on the Community Sites.

Why does LeslieWestGuitarGod get a free pass on this forum rule while other community members don't?

[LOOON375]

https://www.ddo.com/en/community/community-guidelines


Why does LeslieWestGuitarGod get a free pass on this forum rule while other community members don't?

How is the thanking of veterans political or religious? Veterans come from all walks of life, from all religions, and from all political views.

You are the one that is mentioning politics and religion. FYI

[HungarianRhapsody]

How is the thanking of veterans political or religious? Veterans come from all walks of life, from all religions, and from all political views.

You are the one that is mentioning politics and religion. FYI

"It is the Veteran, not the reporter,
Who has given us Freedom of the Press.

It is the Veteran, not the poet,
Who has given us Freedom of Speech.

It is the Veteran, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the Freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Veteran, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial;

And it is the Veteran--who salutes the flag,
Who serves the flag, and
Whose coffin is draped by the flag--
Who allows the protester to burn the flag."

Thanking veterans for their service? Not political.
Giving credit to veterans for the things we value while denying credit to others? Very political.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Thanking veterans for their service? Not political.
Giving credit to veterans for the things we value while denying credit to others? Very political.

No. Our events do not mention any religious or political talking points, whatsoever. In fact, those who've come to our events over the years know this. I've never once had to ask someone to stop discussing religion or politics, because no one has.

Instead, we welcome the PEOPLE. From everywhere. With open arms. We focus on the veterans and what their sacrifice means to their families and friends. We do not get into any political figures or talking points, ever.

But I can respect the fact that some who do not understand what we do begin to discuss politics. But don't expect a political response back because its simply not our MO.

As for that poem. I seriously doubt many in those industries wouldnt thank a veteran, whereever they live, for ensuring their right to practice. That's not political. That's just fulfilling our most basic human necessity to be able to provide for ourselves and our families if we are fortunate enough to have one.

[HungarianRhapsody]

No. Our events do not mention any religious or political talking points, whatsoever. In fact, those who've come to our events over the years know this. I've never once had to ask someone to stop discussing religion or politics, because no one has.

Instead, we welcome the PEOPLE. From everywhere. With open arms. We focus on the veterans and what their sacrifice means to their families and friends. We do not get into any political figures or talking points, ever.

But I can respect the fact that some who do not understand what we do begin to discuss politics. But don't expect a political response back because its simply not our MO.

As for that poem. I seriously doubt many in those industries wouldnt thank a veteran, whereever they live, for ensuring their right to practice. That's not political. That's just fulfilling our most basic human necessity to be able to provide for ourselves and our families if we are fortunate enough to have one.

I'm thankful for the service that our nation's veterans have given, but I strongly object to your assertion the people in those industries do not deserve any of the credit for the freedoms that we enjoy. When you thank a veteran, that's fine. When you try to take away from other people who aren't veterans (even if you don't realize that you're doing so), that's NOT fine.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

I'm thankful for the service that our nation's veterans have given, but I strongly object to your assertion the people in those industries do not deserve any of the credit for the freedoms that we enjoy. When you thank a veteran, that's fine. When you try to take away from other people who aren't veterans (even if you don't realize that you're doing so), that's NOT fine.

You are reading into the poem too much. Thats the nature of poetry, music lyrics, art, etc. They are all open to interpretation. Your objection is duly noted.

[bjones0064]

Thanks.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Thanks.

You're very welcome. Glad you had a good time

[Bekki]

Thank you for another outstanding event.

/Salute