Ben Will's Birthday Party

Troop #35

Scott Will threw the Star Wars birthday party of all time. Millennium Falcon cakes, Pizza The Hutts, Han in Carbonite bean dip, Blue Milk ice cream, Death Star pinata, Lightsaber training for all the young Padawans.

This party was the shit. I won't lie: I want Scott to plan my next birthday bash!

Armor Party

Troop #30

Armor repairs, cookout, introducing my friend Cindy into the majority of the TBS members. We also got rid of Tony Greco. Phew! Took us long enough! I'm kidding dude. Miss ya already. :D

Planet Jump

Troop #24

The 501st Legion received an invite to participate in a birthday party for a young boy who is particularly fond of Star Wars. It was hosted at a place named Planet Jump in Largo, FL. The establishment houses large inflatables, similar to what people my age refer to as a "moonwalk". They had a cake made for the event that resembled a .75 scale R2D2, which not only looked awesome but tasted just as amazing.

There were about 15 kids at the party and it was a lot of fun. Then it happened....

After we got out of costume the family invited us to stay for a while and hang out. I was meeting with my family about 25 miles away so I dipped out, the others stayed behind to play on the inflatables. So about 30 minutes after leaving I get a call saying "we are taking Robert to the hospital, he broke his leg." Purportedly he had been on a large inflatable with a long slide and made an unfortunate turn at the end, snapping his leg in 3 places.

No good deed goes unpunished.

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.

Stars of Hope [Recap]

Troop #13

The Heroes Alliance, Tampa Bay Ghostbusters and the 501st Legion teamed up throughout the month of June to raise many for various charity foundations. I am not sure what the total was, but it was a really cool event. It was hosted at the Park Place 16 in Pinellas Park.

This event was held four consecutive Saturdays throughout June of 2008. Which meant that after doing the Star Wars Weekends troops at Hollywood Studios, Florida That Guy Brian (Vader) and I would leave from Orlando and drive straight back, get back into costume, and troop for about 5-6 hours. It was exhausting. By the final Saturday I was so worn out I could hardly stand the idea of trooping anymore. Thankfully that silly idea wore off by time the next troop came along.

Stars of Hope - Week 3

Troop #11

Please see complete recap for details and pictures. Link Here

Stars of Hope - Week 2

Troop #8

Please see complete recap for details and pictures. Link Here

Stars of Hope - Week 1

Troop #6

Please see complete recap for details and pictures. Link Here

Star Wars Weekends - Week 1, Sunday

Troop #4

Guests: Jeremy Bulloch & Daniel Logan

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.