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The 501st Stormtrooper Legion – 70th Explorers Garrison
By Mike | March 29, 2006
This image is property of the 70th Explorers Garrison
Wow,
Had the opportunity to go see the 70th Explorers Garrison of the 501st Stormtrooper Legion “Vader’s Fist” down at the Ameristar Casino this evening. The casino was running a promotion for their new Star Wars themed penny slot machines and had donated to the Garrison’s favorite charities in exchange for an appearance. (At least, that’s what I read in the newspaper today.) :)
I’ve got to tell you, to a person – man, woman, “being” – these were some of the friendliest people that I’ve met in a while. Admittedly, I was in a little bit of geek-awe and didn’t really chat anybody up extensively, but every single one of these people were more than happy to pose with my Dad and I when we asked to take their photo. One lady with the group was also kind enough to take a picture of Dad and I together with some of the Troops.
Most of you know I’m a terminal Star Wars fan, so I thought I’d throw in a couple of more tidbits:
- To my knowledge, most, if not all of the people associated with the 501st have built their costumes/uniforms themselves, or bought them from someone else who did. Did you know there is extensive information on How To Build Your Own Stormtrooper Armor?
- There is some background information on the history of the 501st on their website.
- My fanboy version of “how does this fit into the movies / books?” is that in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (mostly the books and comics, not necessarily excluding the movies) the 501st Stormtrooper Legion is personally commanded by Anakin Skywalker after he becomes Darth Vader. The will of Emperor Palpatine is enforced by Darth Vader and his legion of Stormtroopers, hunting down the remaining Jedi and crushing all those who oppose the Galactic Empire – hence, “Vader’s Fist”
- I am so going to put “Build my own armor” on my list of things to do before I die, when the wife isn’t looking, and other household projects are done, and I’ve squirrelled some extra money away. Current favorite would be some Null-Arc Trooper Commando armor from the books… That would be cool.
And lastly, for the moment:
- Some of my friends are going to be SO jealous!
MO’B – looking for his DL-44 right now…
Topics: Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
March 30th, 2006 at 8:41 am
So glad I didn’t have to go to this!
As far as the costume goes… NEVER!! :-)
March 30th, 2006 at 10:42 am
That so rocks…. hmmm I’ve always been a huge fan of the rebel alliance and would thus need to go with the an old school good guy clone warrior like the assinated Ki-Adi-Mundi
still very cool and one more thing I will most likely never get to…..
did not know your dad was such a Star Wars nut…..
Last point – on the “so jealous” link post a pic with you and the jedi Princess Leah …… or re-word it ….
October 5th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
Hey Mike,
Just FYI, but not a big deal, the Fett is me, BH080.
Aaron Newell
TK080-BH080
70th Explorers Garrison CO
December 29th, 2006 at 3:04 pm
Hey Mike, I’m playing around on the internet at work and found pics of me on your sight!!! I’m TC6555!!!! I see Newell found your sight as well. Anyway…..cool… :D
October 16th, 2008 at 3:26 am
lol at the wife’s posts. Dude…ok I got nothing. Was gonna try to give some advice on how to pull it off, but nothing’s comin, hehe.