KSI VEILSIX 7 30 Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 Tonight I was given a rude awakening. One of those moments you can count on life to dole out when you least expect it… the kind that leaves you thinking about what’s really important. I was in the middle of my usual Sunday night post-squad meeting routine: post meeting notes on the forums, drift in and out of lobbies, joke around with my squad, get a snack, text the girlfriend and so forth. After joining one of these lobbies, a member asked me, “Did you hear about KSI Country?†To which I replied, “No… why?†“He got shot up man.†"What do you mean, shot up?" "He got shot in Afghanistan, dude..." “No way… he was in the squad meeting with us two hours ago!†That was how one of the most somber nights in my gaming career began. It started out normally enough. The squad meeting went along marvelously. Attendance was high. About two thirds of the way through the meeting, KSI Country stated suddenly that he had to leave as he was about to be sent on a mission. KSI Country does for a living what we all pretend to on Xbox. He is in a Special Forces branch I will leave unnamed. His brother and best friend are also a part of our squad. Country was deployed about a week before to Afghanistan and has the privilege of logging onto Xbox Live from there when he has down time. I spoke to Country on a near daily basis before and on the day of his deployment; I even had contact with his girlfriend who sent a message from his account informing us of his safe departure. Country had always struck me as a cheerful, fun individual who was free of drama and had a solid though not incredibly strong Modern Warfare 3 game. For me, the cumulative of these qualities meant he was a great addition to my squad. A number on the squad tag that I could depend on to be active and low-maintenance, and to be around when I wanted to play with my guys. After the squad meeting, Country and his fellow soldiers were ordered to investigate a small village suspected of insurgent activity. As they made their way through the area, it seems the soldiers were spotted and reported to local insurgent groups who surrounded and attacked with small arms fire, mortars and what Country believes was a form of armored vehicle mounted artillery. Outnumbered, Country’s team was forced into a ravine where the exchange of gunfire continued as they waited for extraction. Eventually it came, but not before the unit suffered injuries, casualties and what is sure to be psychological trauma. It was some time that night when KSI Country’s family was notified. They weren’t told much. Country had been trapped in a firefight with his team. Several soldiers were killed. Country was injured; he had been shot as well as received shrapnel to his head. He was alive but unconscious and “not responsive.†They would be given information as it developed on his status. Shortly after this, Country’s brother (who sometimes shares his account and is coincidentally also an active service member) and his best friend, Lxscountryboy logged onto Xbox Live and informed some of their trusted friends in our squad. The word began to spread quickly that Country was hurt. That was about the time I participated in the exchange above and learned what had happened. As Country’s brother and friend received details, they were able to piece together a loose idea of what happened on the other side of the world that day and shared it with us. We formed a party with them and listened to them as their phones rang, as they informed relatives, and expressed frustration at the little information they were getting. We shared their heartbreak as they worried about informing Country’s girlfriend of what had happened. We experienced the fear they felt each time the phone rang, or a text alert went off. They asked us not to leave them alone as they didn’t want to sit there on their own and go through this event. We tried to play a few games as a distraction, but I had to stop after watching a Final KillCam showing a Bouncing Betty going off into somebody’s face. I logged off eventually, and as I lied in bed I began to question myself. I hoped I had made the squad meeting pleasant for my people. I hoped I hadn’t emphasized recruiting and training numbers too much. I hoped that each person at the meeting had felt that I cared about them and their opinions. I hoped each person felt they were valued as an individual and not just a number on the Squad Tag. I think of myself as a people person, but I vowed to myself to redouble my efforts in ensuring each member I had contact with knew I am here for them. As individual people. To make sure not to ever treat members as replaceable just because there is an ocean of Xbox Live gamers out there waiting to take their place. This is a state of mind I wish for all leaders in KSI to have, and one I pray all members will have the benefit of receiving from them. Lxscountryboy called me at about 1:30 in the morning. I answered immediately, still having been awake and lost in my thoughts. KSI Country had woken and was going to be okay. I teared up at the news and thanked him for letting me know. We were able to talk to KSI Country himself just a few days later and a handful of times since. He sounds like himself… but different now. More gruff… I don’t know. He is still a great guy to game with as he ever was, but something definitely changed him that night. Can you blame him? It is my hope that every KSI member in authority takes this brief but meaningful experience to heart. The people in these squads, these numbers we cultivate for growth, these 3,500 plus people who share the KSI experience with us every day… aren’t just that. They are people. They are our brothers and sisters, they are our cousins, they are our schoolmates, they are the person driving behind you on the road, they are the people who keep our communities safe, the ones who fix our things or lives when they go wrong; they are the kids hanging out in the park, the couple making out on the bench. More importantly, they are the ones we choose to spend our time with every day in this high-tech world where we can make friends electronically. We chose to make them a part of our community as much as they asked to be a part of it. They shape us just as we do them. It is because of these individuals that our ranks as leaders in KSI mean anything at all. The House of KSI has been built and founded on the shoulders of amazing leaders, but what good is that house without a happy family to reside in it? I wish for everyone to remember that these members of all ranks, of different personalities and faces, are the ones who walk through the rooms of this wonderful home. When the foundation becomes faulty and weak with age, they will be the ones who fix it and take it upon themselves to maintain it and keep it alive. Every number in KSI has a face. Every face has a story. I hope this is never forgotten. VL6 Update: Since this article was originally begun several weeks ago, KSI Country’s brother was deployed and killed in action. This article is dedicated to his memory as well as all military personnel in KSI past and present. Thank you for your sacrifice and service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
Jaygo 14 Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 I really don't have any words fitting for this.. just wow. Would it be possible to put "KSI Nations" real name in there? Another thing is hold off on posting this on ksiglobal.org, just for the simple fact that we have a few articles that are "hot" meaning they only carry interest while the news is current. In a few days when things slow down, then post it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
KSI VEILSIX 7 30 Posted February 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 Yeah, he was ok with me using his actual gamertag, I just didn't know what the rules would be. KSI Nations is actually KSI Country, and his friend is lxscountryboy. I'll throw their names in when I post... say Thursday/Friday? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
KSI VEILSIX 7 30 Posted February 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 Cleaned it up a little and changed the names to the real names, I'll get it up by the weekend to let those other pieces get some traffic!~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
Jaygo 14 Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 Sounds good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
KSI VEILSIX 7 30 Posted February 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 posted this morning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
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