Hey guys, I've been around for quite a while, since 2012 and have racked up over 300 days of activity on site, in fact my four year anniversary is coming up in July. I'm not even the oldest though, with members having joined in 2011. I know how much this site can mean to people, and I know the impact it can have on people when it is at its best, it's amazing what this site has done for people, and it is shown through the people that have stuck it out for the long run. The site has had its ups, times where life just seems to great to be real, too much activity to handle at one time is a common occurrence at these times. Those are my favorite memories of the forum, and for many of the older members on site that is their story as well. That being said, the site also has its quiet and relatively boring time periods. We should not be complacent though. The newer members on site deserve the fun, lessons, and memories that we have experienced in our time on site. So if you see a new member that is saying hello, or asking a question, answer, but don't answer and leave, be the quality members that we all are and be social! Invite them to play game, ask them about their time on site make them feel like you were when you joined, or even how you wished you were treated when you joined.
Newer members, don't be afraid to jump in a conversation, Xbox lobby or game. We've made all our friends doing just that. One of my earliest memories on site was joining Absolute Dog’s Saturday morning play dates, something I've striven to be able to mimic, because of its ability to make sixteen individuals into one solid power. The feeling of community is great, and it's one of the things that makes Halo such a fun franchise, it has good people behind it, and we should be building on that.
Get involved, post something interesting you heard about Halo, don't be afraid to make a topic, or start a discussion. Make friends in the shoutbox and do your part to make this the place you remember and want it to be.
Love you guys.