A couple of days ago I got an email. Usually emails of appreciation are short and just a pat on the back when someone likes my work and would like to return some encouragement. But this one was one of the most interesting and touching. Editting his name just in case.





"About 4 years ago I signed up to join the United States Navy and became a sailor. I've undergone several years of stressful, theory intensive training to prepare me for my current job (I operate and maintain Nucler Power Plants on Aircraft Carriers) though none of those stresses could have prepared me for the ultimate trial by fire- a Recent 7 month deployment to the middle east.

It's such a strange feeling being on the other side of the world, away from family, friends, a culture and a lifestyle you've grown up with for such a sustained period of time. There's a great deal of stress to perform, due to the fact we're actively engaged in combat, as well as added stress of being away from commodities we take for granted (your bed, the phone, regular laundry services, internet, privacy). There were some days that burned me out long before noon, and I had nothing more to expect except five hours of watch later on and eventually getting into bed at around 2 in the morning.

You're at work 24 hours a day seven days a week. For 24 hours a day you're under the gun, and there's no real way to escape or to get away from there. Going outside only greets you with Aircraft exhaust and the scream of the catapaults as they send F-18s loaded with explosives off and away. The waters are grey and hazy and the sky above burns. At night the surrounding waters are pitch black except for the distant, pinprick glow of oil refineries burning off toxic gasses in thier towering smoke stacks, and the blinding landing lights of the planes, as they touch down on the flight deck returning from thier runs. You begin to realize just how much you miss all the really dumb things you never noticed you cared about before- Trees, grass, birds, nature in general, new people, new faces, home...

It's easy to fall into a routine and destroy yourself burning the midnight oil late every night repairing equipment and performing maintenance on machinery as old as you are. There are days, sometimes weeks when you'll never go above the hangar deck, and you'll never see the sun or the sky at all, leaving only the cold, artificial light of the flourecent bulbs to lead the way.

I would have lost my mind if it weren't for my PS2, my laptop, and several musical selections stemmed from various artists, music both VG related and not.

Mister Kee, Allow me to extend my personal thanks to you and your superb mastery of music and emotion. Your works are nothing short of brilliant. They are touching, heartfelt, inspirations- wonderful, exotic and creative. Ascention to Cosmo Canyon, Legend of Snake, your Naruto Piano single, they are all masterful creations; touching songs that kept me sane, calm, and collected in troublesome times in my life. All I would have needed was an arrangement from that infamous Parasite Eve Main Theme and I would have been in seventh heaven. Reflections, your Shenmue piece, was at the top of my playlist for almost the entire deployment, and is by far the best of your work. Mister Kee, your music allowed me to escape a place that was unescapable, and allowed me to leave behind my stress' and worries, to forget where I was at and travel someplace else. I was able to unwind and overcome.

Your arrangements, along with those from a few other artists, were key in helping me get through that warzone, and helping me cope with the slurry of problems I had to face every morning. I was able to get away, even if only for a few minutes, and it made all the difference in the world.

So from a sailor, finally back home where he belongs, Thank You Reuben Kee. I sincerely hope you take pride in knowing that your works of art has made a direct, positive impact on at least on person's life. You helped me through the single most stressful time in my entire life. Your music will stay close to my heart for years to come. I wish you luck in your future endevors and I hope you continue your brilliant tradition of amazing work. You have my gratitude.


Sincerely,

~MM2 ----------------

USS --------, C-----"




Makes you really relook at your life, eh? Army can be a scary place at times, but nothing beats an actual war zone.

I hope that he will be safe.