Family Fun Night

Troop #26

Hosted by Gulf Middle School (where one of our local Squad members is a teacher) - this annual event brings the families of the children who attend the school together to meet and greet with teachers and staff. Food, activities, and so on are provided. This marks the second year the 501st Legion has been invited out. We were a big hit with the children and adults alike.

Pinellas Park Parade

Troop #25

The 36th Annual Pinellas Park Parade brought out about 30 members from the local 501st Legion. A 2.3 mile walk in full armor is more than taxing on your body but well worth it. Seeing the families reaction as we came walking down Park Blvd. was an astounding feeling and at times made you forget that you lost feeling in your legs long ago. We had a good respresentation of all Star Wars characters from Storm Troopers to Vader himself. We also had a competition show truck decorated with our banner. Awesome troop & I cannot wait until next year to do it again!


That Guy Brian (our local Vader) hosted a pre-parade BBQ for the troops. This was especially cool because it marked the first appearence of another member of ours, Shadow Scar (Robert) who had previously broken his leg in three places at another event November 2008. Shadow Scar's costume is of a Black Hole trooper, or Shadow Trooper which is basically an all black Storm Trooper. So...with plenty of time on my hands I found an action figure of his character, got some white athletic tape, Elmer's glue, and went to work on a special gift to show our appreciation for his dedication to trooping. That Guy Brain helped removing it from the package carefully so we could operate on the figure and return it to the package without notice. Below are the pictures of Robert and his new gift. He was still in his wheelchair at this event and his spirits were quite down due to his injury preventing him from being able to work. And to speak even further to Robert's love and dedication to trooping, he suited up in his costume sans the legs, got into his wheelchair, and strapped it into the back of the truck so he could do his part in the parade. Bravo Robert.

Trooping For The Troops

Troop #23

We visited James A. Haley Veteran's Hospital located in Tampa, Florida to show our appreciation, respect, and admiration to the soldiers who are there in recovery, permanent residency, or treatment due to injuries obtained in the line of battle. Fair warning: the images below are very graphic.

As many of my friends and family know I am vastly opposed to war. I know, I know...everybody is, too. But I find it a repulsive example of our inability to evolve as a species beyond murdering each other in countless numbers for pride, resources and sovereignty. After a long debate on whether I should go or not I decided that I would go just to support a fellow members' troop regardless of my opinion. I am glad that I went.

We met some pretty amazing individuals that ranged from young to old. Every war within recent, modern history is covered here within it's patients. Seeing the death tolls rise on television, hearing about suicide bombings in Iraq and Afganistan, and hearing the horror stories about Vietnam is commonplace for us Americans, thanks to our ever-so-agenda setting media. But seeing the result(s) of war firsthand was a life changing experience. Standing beside the bed of a man who is only alive because of artificial means while looking up at the wedding pictures of him as a healthy young man 11 months prior changes your perspective on things to say the least. My opinions slowly started to melt away and I felt like my chest was going to collapse. Do you say "thank you" to them? Do you see this and realize just how much more you hate war, or more appropriately, the reasons and pathetic existence of war? A great divide indeed. But how about both options?

One mother in particular made me lose my invariable position and mindset. She wheeled out her son who I am guessing is about 23-25. He can no longer speak, walk, use his arms, feed himself, shower, play sports or video games, hug his loved ones, or create a child. As she brought him to us she was very excited and announced "I told you I'd bring you Star Wars for your birthday! Here they are! Look!" His face brightened up enough to be visibly excited about being within a foot or so of Darth Vader and other Star Wars characters. As his mother repeated to him her excitement for him experiencing this she started to break down and cry, reaching quickly to one of our members and holding onto them. This was the one and only time I have ever been thankful that I was wearing a helmet hiding my face because I was no longer able to hold back my emotions.

Did this troop change me? Absolutely. Did it make me sympathetic to the reasons for war? No. I learned and grew emotionally and mentally from this event. Though I despise the fact that war exists and bite my tongue at most pro-war idiots out there, being able to spend time with and brighten the day of somebody who was dedicated to something knowing the risks is much, much bigger than my opinion or ego. They did something selflessly because of passion, it's only right that I do the same.

Clone Wars Premiere

Troop #16

We made it into Star Wars Insider!!!!! Wo0T!

This event was massive! That Guy Brian (Vader, well...sort of) setup this event at the local Regal theater. I made a sweet ass promo poster for it and had it printed on 20x16 inch glossy to hang around the venue. Of course, they were all immediately stolen. Which is in one way shitty, but in another awesome because that means somebody liked my work.

We had 40+ people come out for this event and it was awesome. I am pretty sure That Guy Brian drank about 10 beers once home. And he deserved it. This event was massive on scale, coordination, and physical demands.

Out of irony That Guy Brian allowed somebody else to dress up in his Darth Vader costume for the event as he would be to busy to do so himself. So Butah Fett (Carlos) suited up. And low and behold...the one time he isn't in his own costume, we get published in the Star Wars Insider. Irony: it spares nobody, even fictional characters.

St. Joseph's Children's Hospital

Troop #15

Text Coming

A link to their website.

Metrocon

Troop #14

METROCON, held at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, is a weekend-long celebration of the numerous facets of Japanese popular entertainment from anime (Japanese animation), manga (Japanese comics), J-pop and J-Rock (Japanese pop and rock music, performed by "idols") to cosplay (costume design and performance) and video games.

Programming and Events:
Video Programming: Anime Screening(s)

AMV ContestPanel Programming: Guest Panels, Fan Panels, Workshops

Costume Events: Hall Cosplay Masquerade / Cosplay Competition

Art Programming: Artists' Alley
Music Programming: Concert, Dance, Formal Dance, Karaoke

Game Programming: Video Gaming

Other Events: Autographs (free), Dealers' Room, Game Shows, Other Events

Guests:
Greg Ayres, Steve Bennett, Johnny Yong Bosch, Greg Cipes, Cipes and the People, Ashley Clark, DJ HeavyGrinder, Eyeshine, Lauren Goodnight, Ya Ya Han, The Heroes Alliance, Scott McNeil, Select Start, Doug Smith, David Stanworth, and David Williams.

Star Wars Weekends - Week 1, Saturday

Troop #3

Guests: Jeremy Bulloch & Daniel Logan

The Fetts return! Jeremy Bulloch is known best for his role as the legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He also made a brief cameo as Captain Colton in Revenge of the Sith. Daniel Logan played the young Boba Fett in Attack of the Clones, as well as all the 10-year old clones on Kamino.

All of us 501st Legion members (while waiting in line to march) were prompted by Jeremy Bulloch to make sure to sing Happy Birthday to Daniel Logan. Priceless moment. I also did a little hip hop dance with Logan beside his car to some slammin' ass rock music.