August 26, 2006
Story by David Syczylo (Boba Binks)
Photos by Chris Hiett (BH 5379)
IT'S ALL FOR A
GOOD CAUSE Upon arriving to the location for
this event there were other stormtroopers from the 501st already
getting suited up as I brought in my TK armor and suited up as well.
Besides for us TKs there was a Jango Fett, Boushh, and The Dark Lord
himself, Darth Vader. After suiting up the Imperial March started
and we marched out into the event and the children’ eyes and adults
eyes grew large. Nobody at the event was expecting any real Star
Wars characters to stop in and make an appearance. There were many
cutout standees of those pesky rebels and of course a Darth Vader.
The children ran up all excited. We posed for many pictures,
answered several questions from the kids, and trooped around the
event saying hello and waving to the little kids who were afraid. It
was a surprise how many of the younger kids now a days are not
afraid to run up to a stormtrooper or Darth Vader to ask questions,
get their picture taken, etc. I guess the amount of times the 501st
have been making appearances the children are getting accustomed to
the white armor and know that we are not a bunch of big scary people
but nice and friendly. What is that doing for the Empire’s image? No
wonder Rebels across the galaxy laugh at us. What happened on Endor
was false. The Ewoks did not take any of us down. Though the kids
think otherwise.
Each child attending this event received a t-shirt
with a picture of Yoda on it with the title of the event “STAR WARS
EPISODE IV: A BENEFIT FOR RILEY HOSPITAL” these shirts were really
cool. At the end of the event there were some left over and our
hosts allowed us to take them for children that we thought would
want them. Overall it was a hot and humid day with occasional rain
showers throughout the day. Lucky for us the rain held off until
after the trooping was over with. It was not only an honor and
pleasure of participating in this event it was a whole lot of fun as
it always is in armor.
After the trooping some of us hung
out, ate, drank, caught up on old times, and more. The host told us
for our participation of this event that he was going to be making a
donation to the Riley Children’s Hospital in the name of the 501st
Bloodfin Garrison. That is such an honor, Thank You very much. You
were a wonderful host, very generous, and kind. Hope everyone had a
wonderful time because I know from the ones who participated, we had
a blast. I know that the children at Riley Hospital will be most
gracious with your wonderful donation. Thank you very much and a big
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Colby and Cate. Until the next time, May The Force
Be With You.
PHOTO GALLERY To see the photo gallery
containing 58 photos click
here.
Upon arriving to the location for
this event there were other stormtroopers from the 501st already
getting suited up as I brought in my TK armor and suited up as well.
Besides for us TKs there was a Jango Fett, Boushh, and The Dark Lord
himself, Darth Vader. After suiting up the Imperial March started
and we marched out into the event and the children’ eyes and adults
eyes grew large. Nobody at the event was expecting any real Star
Wars characters to stop in and make an appearance. There were many
cutout standees of those pesky rebels and of course a Darth Vader.
The children ran up all excited. We posed for many pictures,
answered several questions from the kids, and trooped around the
event saying hello and waving to the little kids who were afraid. It
was a surprise how many of the younger kids now a days are not
afraid to run up to a stormtrooper or Darth Vader to ask questions,
get their picture taken, etc. I guess the amount of times the 501st
have been making appearances the children are getting accustomed to
the white armor and know that we are not a bunch of big scary people
but nice and friendly. What is that doing for the Empire’s image? No
wonder Rebels across the galaxy laugh at us. What happened on Endor
was false. The Ewoks did not take any of us down. Though the kids
think otherwise.
Each child attending this event received a t-shirt
with a picture of Yoda on it with the title of the event “STAR WARS
EPISODE IV: A BENEFIT FOR RILEY HOSPITAL” these shirts were really
cool. At the end of the event there were some left over and our
hosts allowed us to take them for children that we thought would
want them. Overall it was a hot and humid day with occasional rain
showers throughout the day. Lucky for us the rain held off until
after the trooping was over with. It was not only an honor and
pleasure of participating in this event it was a whole lot of fun as
it always is in armor.
After the trooping some of us hung
out, ate, drank, caught up on old times, and more. The host told us
for our participation of this event that he was going to be making a
donation to the Riley Children’s Hospital in the name of the 501st
Bloodfin Garrison. That is such an honor, Thank You very much. You
were a wonderful host, very generous, and kind. Hope everyone had a
wonderful time because I know from the ones who participated, we had
a blast. I know that the children at Riley Hospital will be most
gracious with your wonderful donation. Thank you very much and a big
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Colby and Cate. Until the next time, May The Force
Be With You.