We spent a lot of this week talking about how Second Life has fallen short of its potential. So maybe it's worthwhile ending this week with one story among many about how it's succeeded, in a way that few other things online can. This is the story of Uncle Borgnine, and the USS Helena.
The USS Helena (CA-75) was a heavy cruiser that served in the Korean War, then was scrapped in '73. A near life-size replica is now berthed in Second Life, in the region of Trees (teleport SLurl here). It was built by someone associated with Keystone Bouchard, the acclaimed SL/RL architect known as Jon Brouchoud in real life -- his uncle David Brouchoud, who is over 75 years old, and a career veteran who once served aboard the Helena, when he was 17.
A couple years ago, Keystone was telling his family about the work he was doing in Second Life. "I'm accustomed to the confused (sometimes concerned) look I usually get when trying to explain my work in virtual worlds to friends and family," he tells me. But Uncle David listened closely, and asked a lot of questions. And promptly went to create a Second Life avatar of his own.
"Later that week, to my astonishment, I received an IM from his avatar, 'Henry Borgnine,'" Keystone remembers. "He offered me a teleport, and upon landing, his avatar (in full Navy uniform) saluted me. He had learned to navigate, buy the right uniform, and to teleport from one place to another, all on his own."
David Brouchoud now and as a young Navy man, and in SL as Henry Borgnine
By that time, Uncle Borgnine had met the large community of real life veterans in Second Life, joined a number of groups, and was already working on his dream project: Rebuilding the USS Helena. And since Keystone didn't have the naval architecture background to help, he connected his uncle to someone who could:
"Key introduced me to a wonderful builder named RJ Kikuchiyo," David Brouchoud tells me. "RJ started work on creating the USS Helena. In a short time he showed me a smaller version of the ship, and for the first time, I again walked my ship's decks. A wonderful feeling!" But hardware problems kept him out of Second Life, and delayed the project; until a couple months ago, when his son bought a new computer. And work on the Helena continued, with Kikuchiyo passing the reins to a builder named Bobcatt Nielson. The replica he created is nearly full size, and Brouchoud helped move it near the Veterans Center in Second Life. A retired Navy chief helped him make the uniform he wears in Second Life, a replica of the one he wore at his retirement. (More on his website tracking his progress.)
Keystone Bouchard on the USS Helena
"The Helena is now completed," Brouchoud's nephew confirms to me, "and [Uncle David] has fulfilled his dream of walking the decks of the Helena once more -- alongside other vets who served on the same ship." Because if it seems amazing that a senior citizen would join Second Life to remake a special place of his youth, here is the even more surprising thing: another shipmate of the USS Helena, Vic Borgin, is already in SL, so the two can walk the ship together. And they are trying to bring more veterans in-world.
"We hope to talk other Helena members into joining Second Life," says Henry Borgnine. "Tough sell, as many of these older guys think Second Life is a waste of time and a bunch of BS.
"But, Vic and I are working to change that."
Photos and SL screenshots courtesy of the Brouchoud family.
What a wonderful story Hamlet - more like this please. Can't think of a better example to cut through so many negative stereotypes about Second Life.
Posted by: Hitomi Tiponi | Friday, August 13, 2010 at 09:55 AM
Thanks for this story, Hamlet. Not only did I think it heartwarming, particularly when I read of the vets meeting each other again, it definitely does demonstrate the best of what SL can be. As an antidote to the negative spin, which the more tradional media seems keen to trot out about SL, this was refreshing and lovely to read about.
David Brouchoud / Henry Borgnine, a former British army officer salutes you, Sir.
Posted by: Magnus Brody | Friday, August 13, 2010 at 11:18 AM
I agree with Hitomi.
Second Life is much more than sex, vampires, sex, fashionistas, sex, furries, sex, make believe artists, sex and people who are disappointed when they learn this is not a video game and vent their rage with griefing.
The power of Second Life is the joy of creation. Whether that creation is an object, a place, a time or a way of life. It's a place where the common man can build a dream, without the requirement of a college degree. It can be simple or complex, whatever your skill level.
Posted by: Lili | Friday, August 13, 2010 at 11:20 AM
This is really heart-warming stuff at the end of a difficult week. I'd love to see a SL Ghost-Fleet one day.
I'll get by the Helena ASAP.
Posted by: Ignatius Onomatopoeia | Friday, August 13, 2010 at 01:17 PM
Thank you Hamlet for a great highlight on one great project! The Helena was built in my workshop even without a budget, the opportunity to recreate a ship like this was too good to pass on. I am working with other builders to recreate ghost ships such as the Schooners Ernestina and Wawona, both on the National Register of Historic Vessels. My involvement is ongoing, and the interest only grows. Please keep presenting these stories as they are exactly what SL needs right now, a positive spin to intrigue and encourage us to dig deeper into the stories of RL people and places and things - an entirely humanizing effort (an irony for virtual worlds) - Thank You Keystone, David, Bobcatt, and Vic (and many more!) for collaborating!
Posted by: RJ Kikuchiyo | Friday, August 13, 2010 at 02:59 PM
Great job RJ!. I've known RJ for a few years and his creations are excellent. It's really great to see life sized creations of famous/historical vessels in SL. I've had the pleasure to see the ISS Yamato, the Bismarck, and the ISS Hiryu in SL. Personally I'd love to see the ship I served on back in the late 80s, the USS Wisconsin, BB-64. Now that's a beautiful ship.
Posted by: Ravishal Bentham | Friday, August 13, 2010 at 03:16 PM
Great story, great build.
Posted by: Adric Antfarm | Friday, August 13, 2010 at 03:32 PM
Thanks to all who have helped make "My Dream" come true. The support is amazing. A request for L$6,000.00 was filled in under 20 hours from the posting. You folks are wonderful.
Henry
Posted by: Henry Borgnine | Friday, August 13, 2010 at 04:44 PM
This is the heart of SL. Well done, sir. Well done.
Posted by: Storm | Friday, August 13, 2010 at 05:04 PM
This is wonderful. While I'm not a vet and in fact am a peace activist both in and out of SL, I am pro-soldier and pro-peace. I am delighted whenever I hear a story of someone who has realized a dream and made new connections to memories that give joy. I only wish more retired folks would come and share their knowledge with the thousands and thousands and thousands of us who explore the nature of humanity through SL and opensource VW platforms.
I can't wait to tell my uncle about this and figure out a way to get him onto your ship.
Posted by: Ana Herzog | Friday, August 13, 2010 at 09:22 PM
This is just brilliant! This adds yet another bullet to my list of reasons why Second Life is more than just porn and gambling.
Posted by: Psion | Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 06:55 AM
Great story! Makes me think of the potential for SL builds to complement photos as travel memories... if only photosynth point-clouds could be directly imported into SL... (sigh)
Posted by: Remington Soup | Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 09:01 AM
My father was in the Navy. This is one story that I'd like to see more of. Great build.
Posted by: Bixyl Shuftan | Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 09:07 AM
I have 75 college credits from an accredited NY state college.
Do you think it'll be easier to have time to get a bachelors in 4 years as a Damage Controlman or as a Logistics Specialist?
DC are usally always on a ship, with LS I might have more time on shore to finish schooling so I'm guessing LS would be best.
I'm not interested in joining the Navy to get a Degree but if I can take advantage of it then why not? It is a deciding factor in me joining.
Posted by: Free Apple iPad | Monday, August 16, 2010 at 03:09 AM
Building, sharing, caring. These are the real staples of SL.
Posted by: Sandor Balczo | Monday, August 16, 2010 at 03:45 AM
This is a wonderful thing. What a great way to put SL to good use. Well done!
Posted by: GM Nikolaidis | Monday, August 16, 2010 at 11:00 AM
A battleship is not a cruiser. Two different class of ship. Please pay more attention detail when you put these articles together.
Posted by: non | Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 03:30 PM
Hi non,
True, but still a good story.
Henry
Posted by: Henry Borgnine | Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 07:04 PM