[b]This is not an attempt to get recon[/b] Take it for what you will. I have no way of printing this, and i doubt Lukems will find it in his inbox. [quote]Hello, I’ve never been all that great at writing letters, so I apologize in advance if this bores you, or wastes your time. My name is Dylan M. Gafner, I just recently turned 18 years old and for the past month I’ve been reflecting on my life as a whole. Sure, there’s not a lot there compared to a 50 year old, but it still feels like it. During my childhood, my father left my family due to the fact that my mother was somewhat, well, insane. She was a raging alcoholic, and my father felt that she never really loved him, but what she did love was the fact that he supplied her with the money that she needed to purchase drinks and such to fuel her addictions. The day he left started somewhat of a new life for me. His intention was to show my mother how her addictions were effecting the family. He was hoping that it would show her that she wasn’t living up to the title of being a Mother, but rather a Fake replica of one. My mother was a PE teacher at my elementary school, so everyone gave her the benefit of the doubt. All of the kids loved her, and most of the parents found her to be a nice person at heart, blah blah blah. Everyone felt bad for her when my father left, a lot of people especially talked to my brother, sister and I about the experience. I was in Third grade, and my brother and sister were in Fifth and Sixth. They all were so proud of my mother for working at the school that we attended, because they thought she’d be there for us whenever something bad happened. Frankly, Every single day after school, she would go to her room and sulk over my father leaving her for the first 3 months. She quit drinking, which led to her becoming extremely sick from cutting off cold turkey. But around 4 months after that, everything went down the trash. At the beginning of fourth grade, her alcohol addiction took to new heights. She began taking out her frustration on my sister and myself, while showering my brother with praise and love. Her systems of punishment were absolutely dumbfounding. For 3 years, we were Physically and Mentally abused. But why am I telling you guys this story? Because I’d like to thank you for the place of shelter that you provided. My brother bought a copy of Halo 1 a month or two after the release. Whenever I could tell that my mother was getting angry, I would go to my brothers room to hide from her. But the thing is, I didn’t feel afraid at all. Battling Aliens honestly helped me get out some of my frustration. It gave me a place where my mother wouldn’t dare yell at me [Because my brother was in the room], and it gave me a person to bond and talk to. The creativity that ensued from playing through Halo: CE’s campaign was absolutely amazing. I found myself daydreaming, I found myself reading and writing more than sitting around and crying about how terrible I felt my life was. One night in particular, my mother pulled me aside, and yelled at me for 3+ hours about how I would never equate to anything in life. Word for word, she told me that “[I’d] be cleaning port-o-potties for the rest of [my] life”. But when being told this, I finally found myself disagreeing with what she was saying. I wasn’t taking in every word she said for truth, thinking that I was worthless and wouldn’t get anywhere in life. Rather, I found myself thinking ‘I want to be a writer’, or a Film director, or even a Writer for a Video Game. After that night, my siblings and I began talking to my father about our home situation. For so long we thought we didn’t have any other options, but he helped us in every way that he could. We began seeing him for dinners on Wednesday nights, and seeing him every other weekend. On his 50th birthday, we asked him if we could move in with him, because we could not function in the home that my mother was raising us in. Sadly, though, The courts tended to rule in favor of out mother, because she was the victim of my father leaving. Eventually my brother and sister were old enough to choose where they wanted to live, but I was still 2 years too young. One night, while playing Halo, I decided that enough was enough. I couldn’t let the evils of my mother, or that home take me over. I needed to be brave. I needed to get out. I ended up leaving in the middle of the night, calling my father, and going to his house. That began family therapy sessions, etc. I never fully thought of Suicide or anything like that, but my mother insisted I be put on Anti-Depressants and avoid Violent Videogames. Thank Goodness my father and few friends stood up for me to show that I had no tendencies of being violent or wanting to hurt myself. The biggest thing to help me though, was the community that followed. My father got my a copy of Halo 2 on my birthday [2 weeks after it came out]. Because of my childhood, I was never really that great at making friends. But after purchasing Xboxlive, I met tons of new people that kept me on the sunny side of things. Two days after my birthday, I made an account on B.net, dmg04, just to get the awesome bungie symbol next to my Gamertag. For 2 years I never really used the forums, but I was friends with many that did. They kept me updated on the Bungie happenings, and let me know how awesome the community was. Towards the beginning of the Hype for Halo 3, I truly fell in love with the community that you guys basically created. What started as logging in a few nights a month began a daily occurrence. I’ve made tons of new friends, and a few extremely good people. They’ve all helped me through some of the lingering troubles from my childhood, and what honestly makes me tear up is the fact that my father even plays Halo 3 with me from time to time when I’m having a bad day, or terrible memories. One of the more awesome things, though, was the fact that i was also able to help people from the community. Whether it be Ranking up on Live, Helping with Forum topics on B.net, or even giving advice for Family/Relationship issues. I finally feel as if i am apart of something. I feel Like an Individual with some importance, and it really helps to fuel my dreams. Frankly, I’d like to thank each and every employee that contributed to the making of the Halo Trilogy, and the Bungie Online Community. I honestly don’t know where I’d be today without the support of the people I’ve met through the game, and the inspiration that the games provided to me. Also, on my ‘4th B.net birthday’, I posted a Thank you thread to the community. If you’d like to view it, here is the URL; http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=28228359&postRepeater1-p=1#28264861 Again, Thank you for everything. Love; Dylan M. Gafner B.net Username: dmg04 P.S.; I wanted to send a few bags of Hersheys Hugs and Kisses along with this letter, but after consulting Urk on whether or not anyone would even enjoy them, he brought up the fact that you guys might think I’m sending poison. Lol. Happy Holidays. [/quote]

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Zeranual Anyone could have told you that you deserved it, I'm happy for you[/quote] to bad it will be free in a few months....then when people get it, its gonna be like....

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Guardian Hunter Truly these are the correct things that Bungie should give out Recon armor for. There are quite a few people who would fake this entire story just at the chance or earning Recon armor, but when a legitimate person comes along that has overcome this type of hardship to excel at gaming it does deserve some sort of recognition from the community.[/quote] Agreed, well put man.

Nice story, you deserved, look forward to seeing you in matchmaking

ur recon + this thread = Rec*n go bye bye mabye, not sure doubt it

The OP got banned, it will lift eventually. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] RatBoy94 I can't read the story because someone reported him and it has the moderator notice on it, I feel it should be removed.[/quote]

I can't read the story because someone reported him and it has the moderator notice on it, I feel it should be removed.

I would like to apologize to all the people that were offended about my post stating that I have suffered from depression for a large part of my life and reported it. It was never my intention to come off in a bad manner by asking for recon armor. Sometimes pain along with the operation of the human psyche can be a sensitive matter, once again I would just like to say that I regret my actions. [i]deploy with courage[/i]

I have 2.0 hand and I still suck at Halo *sad face* I'm glad that something as small as Recon armor could give you the morale boost you deserve and I'm really happy that whichever employee you talked to took the time to hear your story and do something great for you. Just do me a favor...if something (and I really hope never) happens to your other hand...can you try to get us Actionsack in H3? My charms seem useless on Shishka's cold heart. Cheers man and happy holidays. ~B.B.

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Halo53 [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Guardian Hunter Truly these are the correct things that Bungie should give out Recon armor for. There are quite a few people who would fake this entire story just at the chance or earning Recon armor, but when a legitimate person comes along that has overcome this type of hardship to excel at gaming it does deserve some sort of recognition from the community.[/quote] Anyone who would fake a story about something like this, especially for recon, deserves a fate so terrible I can't even comprehend it And in reference to the OP, good work dude, keep your head up and good luck breaking into the industry[/quote] A fate that must be terrible... *** Good luck getting into the video games industry and prove everyone who has doubted you wrong!

This is truly inspiring.

good on you dud i like to have you gamtag play halo3 with you

*standing ovation* You sir, have overcome.

hey ,nice story. just add me if you need some1 to play with.

I understand, i read your entire post, but i found the reason kinda vague. I apologize. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] KWDzeroxx I was given the armor not because of my condition, but because of my determination, and dedication towards a goal and also the fact I am willing to tell people about my story, and share a common lesson with the community. You sir should read more often, as I see you saw this as a very literal situation instead of analyzing it more metaphorically and symbolic. [/quote]

I was given the armor not because of my condition, but because of my determination, and dedication towards a goal and also the fact I am willing to tell people about my story, and share a common lesson with the community. You sir should read more often, as I see you saw this as a very literal situation instead of analyzing it more metaphorically and symbolic.

Although I don't agree with you deserving recon for having a condition, because it seems you received it out of pity,that is not my decision. Ive came in contact with people with disabilities and even a very similar dude like you that was born with a similar hand deal, and i can tell you that most would prefer to fit in, not stick out. But over all, I'm glad you have the ability to enjoy playing video games, honestly I think i would be extremely depressed if i lost a hand due to some accident, i would hardly be able to play console games again.

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Guardian Hunter Truly these are the correct things that Bungie should give out Recon armor for. There are quite a few people who would fake this entire story just at the chance or earning Recon armor, but when a legitimate person comes along that has overcome this type of hardship to excel at gaming it does deserve some sort of recognition from the community.[/quote] Anyone who would fake a story about something like this, especially for recon, deserves a fate so terrible I can't even comprehend it And in reference to the OP, good work dude, keep your head up and good luck breaking into the industry

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Hibityy WH00HA Wow, I just scanned over some comments, and I'm amazed noone has posted something stupid and immature. Big suprise lol.[/quote] QFT- I'm still surprised how awesome this forum is. In the H3 forum they all would be banging and screaming "U DON DASEREV RAYCONZZ!!!"

Wow, I just scanned over some comments, and I'm amazed noone has posted something stupid and immature. Big suprise lol. This is deffinitly a inspiring story though. Its storys like these that show how much people (like me) take for granted. I got a reminder of that a few months ago when my house flooded. My room was in my basment and my whole basment and up about 5 feet on the second floor of my house was filled with water, I lost pretty much everything (mainly becasue it was sewage water from the river thats by my house) I was in and out of hotels and my grandmas house for about 2 months. I had no XBL, no interent, no cable, nothing. I also got expelled from school becasue of it (my school told me the days I missed would be excused then ended up saying I missed to many and expelled me. I had missed some days before, but it was just straight bogus) It deffinitly made me look at what I had and all the stuff I had been taking for granted. The flood was about 3 months ago now and after busting my ass every day helping my moms friend who is a contracter (thankfully) gutting out pretty much my whole house then re-bulding it things are getting back to normal now. The insurance company ended up paying for mostly everything so that was good. Anyway congrats on getting recon. You seem to have a good, strong attitude, and I'm sure if you really want to work for bungie and put your mind to it you will. Just don't let anyone try to discourage you. Good luck.

Wow, amazing story! You deserve Recon armor, no doubt. Slightly unrelated, but it's stories like these that make me sad that Bungie will allow anyone to unlock Recon in the future. I think it should forever be exclusive to people just like the OP, or others who have received it for various other reasons. To me, it will lose a lot of the meaning behind it when it is ultimately released. I'm sure, though, it won't mean anything less to the people that truly deserve it.

You Inspire Me.

Wear it loud and proud, trooper. GUH JAHB !

I see we have something in common KWDzeroxx, Spyro the Dragon was the first game I ever played and I have been a partial outcast for no logical reason. Namely people say my eyes look "chinese" when they actually don't and I am in no way that nationality but life moves on. I was touched by your story, the image of your hand didn't frighten me because I accept people who are viewed as "different". So thanks for the inspirational story and you earned that permutation, so go fourth and represent! [Edited on 12.14.2008 12:18 PM PST]

Wow, you are a strong and inspirational individual. I hope you enjoy playing with that new armor perm!

A simply amazing story. This is the kinda thing Recon Armor should be given for. I hope you enjoy playing with it :D Hunter0293