Posted June 23, 2018 (edited) Laying our friend Zorako to rest. June 22nd, 2018 Amendment: See the end of report for a link to one of the TV stations coverage of the service which the Funeral Home was nice enough to sent me today as I was heading to the airport for my own flights home. Amendment: See the end of the below report for the link to the just received photo of the head stone monument that now marks our friend's final resting place. It was moderately warm overcast day today in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Among the 200 plus folks who turned up to say good bye to Thomas "Zorako" Hill, were three Wurmian's. Hughmongus, Zpen, and Finndar. Skyefox and Gold dust both wanted to be here but could not get the time off from their respective day jobs to attend in person. The Chaplin started Zorako's burial service by telling folks that it was the gaming community who did not give up on Zorako... that we kept pushing to ensure he got a proper burial service with proper honours for a war veteran and retired serviceman. As they could not locate an living Next of Kin for him, Finndar, Zpen and myself were put in the front row (where immediate RL family normally go). We, his friends from the gaming community, were were acknowledged as his family as he no longer had one in RL. Two local TV stations showed up cover the service and a local newspaper. They were blown away by us coming in from all over the world. From east coast of the USA, west coast of Canada and from Eastern Europe to give our good friend a proper send off. The TV press wanted an interview afterwards and asked who was the group's spokesman. Although I (Hugh) was the senior Wurmian present (one with most time in Wurm and who has known Zorako the longest), I deferred to Finndar as I felt it more appropriate that an American speak for a fellow American and answer their questions. Because of our persistence that we wanted to attend and pay our respects to our friend and see him properly laid to rest, the below appeared in local news services yesterday (Thursday evening). https://www.omaha.com/news/military/public-is-asked-to-attend-services-for-two-veterans-with/article_ceafef3e-9f68-55df-8805-6a4126ef079a.html Three different vetearan's groups and many locals turned up for the twin burial service, over 200 people. I took a few photos. I know Zpen also got some from inside the burial service itself. He will post these when he gets time to do so as he has the furthest to travel. http://prntscr.com/jy9oyn The place of the Burial Service http://prntscr.com/jy9p49 Two honour guards, a pair of US Marines for the Marine chap, a pair of US Navy ladies for Thomas. After the service we were told that if we cared to come back in a few hours his grave would be ready for visitors. So while Finndar and Zpen had to head for the airport to catch their flights home, I stayed after the service and waited until they had interred his ashes. I then visited Zorako's grave... http://prntscr.com/jy9yyv Zorakos in the back row, top of picture with flowers by his marker. I left this note http://prntscr.com/jy9o2i a personal good bye note from me and Skye and those attending, and on behave of "his Indy Family". http://prntscr.com/jy9qui Zorako's grave with temporay marker http://prntscr.com/jy9sc7 Zorako's name plate marker For friends of his who wish to stop by and leave flowers and pay their respects, Thomas "Zorako" Hill is resting now in the south corner of Section 1, per this map http://prntscr.com/jy9zrz Rest in Peace, Zorako. You will live on in our hearts and memories. With a heavy heart, Hughmongus Post Script: June 23, 2018 - here is a link sent to me by the Funeral Home, that leads to the local TV coverage of the funeral. http://www.ketv.com/article/2-veterans-honored-at-omaha-s-national-cemetery/21819448 Post Script: January 15th, 2019 at 01:54 GMT (UTC) - here is a link to the photo sent to my by the Funeral Home, of the head stone monument that now marks our friend's final resting place. http://prntscr.com/m6hrv4 Tom "Zorako" Hill has received a fitting resting place marker. With kind thoughts, Hugh Edited January 15, 2019 by HughMongus Added Link to Photo of Zorako's head stone 39 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2018 Man, this really is being most excellent human beings. A fantastic read. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2018 I am speechless at the selflessness, generosity, and respect of you all. Thank you for the solemn, yet incredibly heart warming story. 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2018 Thank you for this. I am sure he would had loved it very much. I know I would had. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2018 Hughmongus, Zpen, Finndar and Skyefox - thank you for caring so much for your friend. It does not matter the distance between friends, which is exactly what this shows. I was so sad yet so uplifted to read this. Thank you for sharing it with us. Friends like you are precious and few. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2018 Thank you for this information and I send many warm thoughts to his family and friends. May he Rest in Peace knowing that he was so loved. In our press here we often have stories about how gaming is bad for this and for that. This story shows that the communities that can build up around different games can indeed be a force for good, be loving and supportive. I sincerely hope that this fact may one day be appreciated by all those critics. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2018 I agree I wish more people in this world. Had the level of humanity that you very excellent people have shown. You have my praise and admiration .kudos to you all and well done 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2018 Very beautiful text, I am truly saddened for your loss. This world definitely needs more friends like you have been to Zorako. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2018 Thank you for sharing it with us. I'm really moved by it, and happy that the memory of Zorako is in good care! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 23, 2018 Thank you for the update. It truly is amazing to hear nice things like this still happen. I believe Zorako will rest peacefully knowing his friends were there with him. R.I.P. Zorako 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 24, 2018 Gud'evening friends, Sunday, June 24th, 2018 at 07:18 UTC (which is just after midnight my home time zone). Got home safely a few hours ago. Zpen is still in transit, probably about an hour from landing in Frankfurt and his own change of planes for the final leg to his home town. First my thanks to all the support and kind words above. Really appreciated them. Per the amendment to the top message, the Funeral Home sent me a link to the coverage by one of the two local TV stations that attended and I thought I would share it with you. http://www.ketv.com/article/2-veterans-honored-at-omaha-s-national-cemetery/21819448 Could not get it to play with Firefox on my laptop but it did play on Skye's IE machine when I got home. By right clicking in the middle of the movie image after it had finished, I was given an option to Save the Video and did so for our own personal records and use. Oh BTW, the Remembrance of Zorako memorial that is East of FM on FM East Highway, got a face lift two weeks ago. A loop of Cats Eyes were put in to protect the pavement there from any Vandalism and blessed street lamps will lite the place up at night. Also Skyefox donated 20+ flower boxes to make a lovely garden at the memorial. http://prntscr.com/jyn95r the Remembrance of Zorako Gardens from SW http://prntscr.com/jyna0h the Remembrance of Zorako Gardens from FM East Hwy My thanks again for the kind words and support. They are much appreciated. Warmest regards! Hughmongus 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 25, 2018 Good work folks, touched my cold heart a bit. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 25, 2018 Thanks for the update. Also... "... THOSE FRIENDS FROM AROUND THE WORLD PROMPTING THIS MEMORIAL." Very good work. Extremely nice gestures your visit to make sure Zorako was not alone at his funeral. Thank you for that. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted June 28, 2018 Touching stuff .. very well done guys, thank you all. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2019 Update Jan 15th, 2019 at 01:54 GMT (UTC). I received an email a days ago from the Omaha, Nebraska funeral home that took care of Zorako and organized a proper burial service for him. The Chaplin apologised for the delay, but he was finally able to get down the Omaha National Cemetery recently (which is a long drive from the Mortuary to be fair) to get for us the promised photo of the proper head stone at Zorako's grave. http://prntscr.com/m6hrv4 Tom "Zorako" Hill has received a fitting head stone for his final resting place. I did send a thank you email back to the mortuary their time and effort. It was accompanied with a screen shot of the Zorako Memorial, which is located on FM East Highway, just across the road from where Zorako's village was on Independence, so show them how Wurmian's honour a fellow Wurmian, who was well respected and liked by all. My thanks to all who have shown their support during our time of loss and grieving. With a heavy heart, Hughmongus Co-Leader - The Albia Consortium (and a fellow veteran friend of Zorako). 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 16, 2019 I took some time away from Wurm. I come back and see this. Very, very touching. You are great human beings. There are not words to describe how incredible this story is. RIP Zorako. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 20, 2019 This is absolutely beautiful. Gamers sometimes get a bad reputation, but this right here is what happens when we do it right. You three represent the best of us. RIP Zorako. Also: As an American, thank you to Hugh and Zpen for making the trip to honor an American veteran. ❤️ 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites