Sweating it out in armor with new troopers and handlers this past weekend (06-28-2014) at the Orange park mall in Jacksonville, FL.
Freedom Festival was set to honor and support Military personal both retired and enlisted I believe. This was a fun troop with live music, fire trucks and many other booths loaded with information and food.
Squad 7 troopers and handlers met up in front of Dicks sporting store and it was a collection of regulars and new comers. If I have all their names correct we were introduced to Greg, Kevin and Aaron. Greg trooped as Vader and did a fantastic job at that. it was nice to see a Vader representing Squad 7 again. Kevin and Aaron both working on their armor help handle and it was needed. Thanks to the new comers for coming and trooping with us.
The weather was HOT, the blazing sun beating down forced us to taking breaks every thirty to forty five minutes to ensure no trooper suffered heat exhaustion. we were able to troop on until the end of the event.
Squad 7 marched out to the crowed as we like to do and with no hesitation we were engulfed by the crowed to take pictures. we found a slightly shady spot and let the pictures take control as family after family walked and posed with us. it was great and the crowed was good, no problems at all. We walked the perimeter of the event so everybody could get up close and take pictures. we marched about with some good music playing on the main stage. people were dancing and enjoying the music even in the heat.
we wrapped up by taking a quick break and marching in side the mall around the food court and back to our dressing room. The mall crowed felt like the Paparazzi running ahead of us clicking away on their phones. It was fun and a great way to end this troop. the crowed surly enjoyed seeing us troop around like we owned the place lol…
This was a Hot but fun troop. I really enjoyed meeting and hanging a bit with some new squad7 members. of course I always enjoy the company of the regular troopers and they did a great job as well.
Squad7 you rock on!!!! Great Troop.
Photographer: Morgan Franklin
TK-50167 STORMTROOPER 