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Posts Tagged ‘Squad 7’

JSO John Williams Spectacular

Posted in Trooping, tagged , , , , , , , on May 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Image3Jacksonville Symphony Orchester – John Williams Spectacular – Star Wars

So for my tenth troop I suited up in armor to join my brother and sisters for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchester (JSO) for a night of John Williams music which includes sound tracks from movies like  “Jaws, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Schindler’s List, as well as the Indiana Jones series, have won him multiple awards and produced best-selling recordings, and his scores for the original Star Wars trilogy transformed the landscape of Hollywood film music and became icons of American culture.” – John Williams Website.

OK, so this was like the coolest thing to do. I mean its not often you can put on your armor and be standing on stage looking out over a sea of people watching you as the music of Star Wars blasts through to them. They sounded so good I almost forgot it was live. People had smiles beaming from their faces as they watched us do our thing and we all had a good time doing it.

Here are more pictures and some notes at the bottom.

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Group photo after the concert

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All troopers on stage with Vader and Jedi in front of us.

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Group shot after concert

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Lady in the arrest position.

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Small group shot

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Me and everybody headed to the stage… where we will stand for 20 min

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Vader taking over the show… Like always 🙂

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Another Stage shot

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Pesky Jawa’s disrupting the show by taking the conductors wand.

Photos by: Anita Hernandez

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Murray Hill Theater Concert

Posted in Trooping, tagged , , , , , , , , , on May 12, 2013| 2 Comments »

May the 4th Troop – Murray Hill Theater

BJ and Walter On Stage with the band The Blank Canvas - BJ on the left, Walter on the right

BJ (left) and Walter (Right) On Stage with the band The Blank Canvas

So after a loooong day trooping at the MOSH Sci-Fi event   I was getting myself ready for a late night troop at the Murray Hill Theater, someplace I had never be to before. I didn’t know what to expect, but the 501st was invited by a band called The Blank Canvas to join them at the end of the night to mingle with the crowd.

When I got there I realized that was a younger mans scene. But hey I was here for the long haul and little did I know at the time that I would be selected to jump on stage with the band along with BJ Savage.

We all were crammed into a small space called the Green Room which was really black in color lol. but there we were, waiting for our moment to shine, to hit the stage and show the younglings how to Rock and Roll. (looked like social zombie’s out there texting and what not)

When the time came we all headed out to the crowd,  BJ and I made it to the stage and rocked out with the band to about four songs, It was Fun, Hot and Awesome to do.  We ended the night by mingling with the crowd and taking pictures. All in all it was a great night but when we left that night around 12:00 or so this old man was ready for bed

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I will post more photos if I can find or get some at a later data. So Check back to see if there was an update.

also please comment on any of the pages you see, let me know what you think or if you have any questions. One last thing if you like it then like it up and give a page rating as well. it all helps and well makes me feel good lol..

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MOSH – Sci-Fi weekend

Posted in News Flash, Trooping, tagged , , , , , , , , , on May 6, 2013| Leave a Comment »

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May the 4th be with you!!

That was the greeting of the day for most Star Wars fans on this day and it could be heard all day at the MOSH Sci-Fi weekend event. I had the great fortune to Troop on Saturday May the 4th at the Museum of science and History located in Jacksonville, Fl.

Group shot, I am third from the left

Group shot, I am third from the left. Click to enlarge.

This Troop would account for my 8th Troop as a 501st member (Brother). This day started rolling at about 8:00 am, and well it didn’t stop until about 5:00pm that day for me. By far this was the longest I had been in armor and let me say by 5:00 pm I was almost spent but I knew I had one more Troop to do on this day but that’s another blog, well the next blog in fact lol.

I didn’t know what to expect so I went into this troop with eyes wide open. After getting all the logistics completed of where to be and when to be ready I started putting on my Armor ready to head to the front lobby. A few other troopers and I headed to the front and saw about 20 people standing in line even with all the rain that was coming down on this overcast Saturday morning.

Faces lit up from young and old when we came around the corner and you could see from their faces they could not wait for the doors to open. Little kids would run up to the glass windows and wave and we would wave back. They would run to their parents and you can see them talking a mile a min. After about 10 min the staff opened the doors and as fans would want to do they proceeded to ask us for pictures and we were happy to do it.

It’s amazing the looks on the faces of both the parents and kids as they pass through the doors and sees us standing there in white armor; bring back memories for the parents and creating new one for the kids. Dads are every bit as excited as the kids, I even saw some mothers get a bit excited; sometimes they try and get the kids to take a picture with us. However like Santa some kids just don’t want to have any part of that. But for the most part the kids run up and the parents are happy and snapping away. Mosh11

After about 30 min or so we head back into MOSH to the second floor where the 501st booths are so we can do more meet and greets. The problem with that is you only get a few feet before more picture request is made and you get into your proper poses and let them have at it. After some time passes and a few dozen pictures are taken we are off again to the second floor. I had not been up there once the doors had opened so I was excited to see all the booths from both Star Wars, 501st and even dare I say Star Trek.

Waiting for the fans to show up.

Waiting for the fans to show up.

The best view when you get to the second floor by far is Roxy the Rancor. This girl is a sight to behold and if you ever get a chance you must go see her. The amazing amount of detail show the love, blood, sweat and tears put into creating this towering creature.  I have seen her twice now, in person and I am still at awe over the craftsmanship that brought her to life. Please if you get a chance go and see her, and I am sure you will be as awe struck as I when I first saw her.

Roxy the Rancor

Roxy the Rancor

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Can you count the Nurf darts on this Trooper?

My day was going along fine as I talked with little kids and parents, stopping for more pictures here and there and then it was time to become a target of the masses. Yep it was my turn at Blast-A-Trooper. What is that you ask? Well it’s when I stand in front of a backdrop of the Death Star hall way and let anybody that wants to try and blast me with Nurf guns. Talk about drawing a crowed, who would pass up the change to Blast a Stormtrooper. Well as I quickly learned, nobody. For just about an hour I was the target of much joy to many that attended this wonderful event. The smiles, both happy and devious were on show as the kids picked up their Nurf Blasters and started blasting away. You would be surprised what areas of your body they like to target. Good thing are armor is plastic or there could be some real battle damage going on in the nether region. But all and all it’s a great time and the kids and parents really love this booth.

After being relieved of duty from the Blast-A-Trooper booth I headed back for some much need rest. I get a bit hot under all that armor and the bathroom was calling me so off I went.  Rested and hydrated I headed back to the floor for a few more hours of photo opts. Time passes and I start to wrap up my day and a welcome moment it was to shed myself from all that is the Armor.

In closing of this fantastic day of Sci-Fi fun I would really like to thank the MOSH for hosting this great event and allowing the 501st to become part of it. I would also like to say job well done to all the members who helped out in this event. You guys rock and make events so awesome it’s truly an honor to be a part of such a great group of people.

So if you missed out on all the fun, never fear I am sure MOSH will host this event yet again next year and I can’t wait to suit up and troop this wonderful event.

More Photo  enjoy

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Here is one last photo of me and Lyndon (my son) who got to see me trooping for the first time.

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Link you need to know

MOSH – 501st – Squad7 

Photo’s by: A whole host of people. If you see a photo you have take please let me know so I can give credit to you

List:

Tabitha Woodruff

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St Augustine Easter Parade 2013

Posted in Trooping, tagged , , , , , , on April 2, 2013| 3 Comments »

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Fun in the sun in St Augustine for the 2013 Easter Parade. Here are some photos of the day and It was great to Troop with the 501st and Squad 7.

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Photos By Jacqueline Hallé

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2013 Touchdown to a Cure – Arthritis Walk

Posted in News Flash, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on March 30, 2013| Leave a Comment »

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Well everybody it was another amazing day for a troop. I headed down to the Jaguars stadium to get ready for a day of trooping for the Arthritis Walk. When I arrived volunteers were buzzing about getting all the booths setup and ready for the public. The sun started to peek over the rim of the stadium and knocked off the cool air and members of Squad 7 started to show up and we assembled in one of the halls that lead to the field.

You know how they say TV adds 5 or so pounds to a person, well I think the same holds true for the Jaguars football field. On TV when we are cheering the runner to run in for a touchdown it seems to take longer then we would like it to as the field (100 yards) it seems so very long. However when I walked out to the field it didn’t seem very big at all and I was surprised by that. Its was still an amazing sight being down on the field looking up to the seats.Photo6-001

We all dressed out and went to the field and was meet by the public and all the cameras that they could hold and photo opt’s O plenty. We mingled about for about 30 min and then the event heads introduced all the people that help fund and plan the day. After that they introduced us to an instructor that would have some of us troopers doing the Zumba on the field. I am sure we looked funny dancing and moving about but we did it and it was fun.

It was now time for the public to start the Arthritis walk by walking around the stadium a few time and we were dispatched around in places to help them stay on course. it seem an endless line of people walking by and then they did it all again.

Photo9Once we completed the mission assignment we walked around again for more photo opt’s and then headed back to home base and end our mission for the day.

I had a great time and the event was well done.

2013 Arthritis Walk Website

Photos by: Jacqueline Halle

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2013 St. Augustine day parade

Posted in Trooping, tagged , , , , , on March 9, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Squad7 group shot4It was a beautiful day to troop this event. I had two first on this one and had a super time doing them. The first one was to do a 2.5 mile troop in my armor. the longest I had done to this point was a 1 mile troop in the Gator bowl parade which was another great troop however one could say it was two miles as we had to walk back to the staging area and we were still in armor. The second thing was wearing a Kilt for the first time ever. I was suited up and ready to go when Michael Joiner (A.K.A Vader) pulled me over and handed me a Kilt to put on and shed some of the armor I was wearing. My first reaction was, OK this belongs to Vader the very tall big guy and he hands it to me the 5.6 guy. No matter they wrap it around me and pull it up and well its a bit to big and I have no means really to tighten it up. So I search the trunk of my car for something, anything and come across a black bungee cord. I tinker with a way to make this work and hide most of the cord and then I was ready to troop on and doing it Kilt style.

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I am forth from the left in the green kilt. I have rounded hand guards.

The fun continues as we head over to the festival that is taking place all day long.St Aug Parade Mar 9 2013 007 A lot of troopers stayed in their kilted armor but I delivered the one I had back to Michael and family with thanks for the use of it. I joined everybody and enjoy some of the festivities and wrapped up my day and headed home to relax a bit.

This is my 5th troop since joining the 501st and Squad 7.

Group Photos by: Jamie Godfrey

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Best Buddies Friendship Walk

Posted in Trooping, tagged , , , , , on February 24, 2013| Leave a Comment »

What started out an overcast day turned out to be a perfect day for this troop.Image1 I did not know what to expect from this event as it was the fist of this kind that I would be trooping it. but like all of the one I have already done it was a blast. The 501st met up and got into armor and proceeded to meet the crowed that had already stated gathering at the Jacksonville landing.Image9 The event was Best Buddies Friendship Walk and the landing was filled with families ready to enjoy all the entertainment and start their walk. I am always amazed at the Joy that we as the 501st bring  to the faces of both children and parents when we start out and mingle about. All in all I have a wonderful time and I know the kids from this event had a great time with all that this event provided for them.

Best Buddies Friendship Walk Mission: The mission of Best Buddies is to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.image2

Event Website:  Best Buddies Friendship Walk

More Photos at Facebook : 501st Squad7 

Troop #4

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501st helped raise over $14 Million dollars for charity in 2012

Posted in News Flash, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on February 5, 2013| Leave a Comment »

501st-Charity-Blog-Header-MASTERAccording to the 501st Legion charity tracker the 2012 numbers are in and we the 501st members help raised quit a bit of money for charities all around the world. Troopers take a moment to be recognized  for the tremendous work and time you have donated for so many that are in need.

Here are the numbers for this year.

“Each year the 501st Legion members volunteer their time to attend a number of charity related events. In 2012 Legion members helped to collect over 198,000 Toys for needy and underprivileged families, raised $168,988 through our own fundraising efforts, attended events that helped to raise over $14 Million Dollars for charity. Our members donated over 4,747,325 ‘man hours’ wearing our Imperial Costumes all in the name of fundraising and charity!”

Story source: 501st legion charity Tracker

Some of the charity work we do will not raise any money, but instead will raises ones spirits and hopes as was the case with Ethan as shown below. you can read about his story and how a few minutes of ones time can bring so much joy to another. just click the image below for the full story from my point of view through the lenses.

Some of us with Ethan

Ethan who has Cerebral Palsy enjoyed his 12th birthday with the 501st Legion

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Gator Bowl Parade 2012

Posted in Trooping, tagged , , , , , , , , , on January 2, 2013| 1 Comment »

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Group Photo with 501st Members – I am on the right.

So for my 3rd Troop I was able to march in the Gator Bowl Parade in downtown Jacksonville. This was a mile long troop and it was packed with spectators on both sides of the street. This was my first parade since marching band in high school aside from the Disney parade which was more a production then a march and then it was not one on this level. I had a blast hanging with all the 501st members and learning what to do and not do. Everybody was friendly and helpful which is one reason I am proud to be a part of the 501st the people are very open and inviting.

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Even the Empire has it’s cheerleader. black and white strips and me second to the right with pom poms.

This would be the first troop where I would run head on with photo fans. I had been warned that when you do a troop like this what would take 15 min to walk a mile could turn into an hour because of all the photo ops.

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Yep that me with a pom pom cheering on the empire lol.. I am the one on the left

On this day the photo op’s  started the moment we hit the staging area. It seemed the cheerleaders like guys in uniform with all the photo request we got, I think they would be surprised to know there are some women under some of them buckets lol. but I was taken back by how a crowed of people will flock to you. I had seen it a little  handling for the Art Walk but this was a big crowd and were in the parade along with us. But it was enjoyable and interesting all at the same time.

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Stand around waiting for the 3:00 pm step off for the parade. poor Vader (Michael Joiner) had to wear his helmet longer then the rest of us.

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That would be me, Rob and Mongo (I think its Mongo) hitch’in a ride on the ST Augustine Ghost tours bus

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here we are marching down the street. I would be the one on the left behind the young Jedi.

After standing around for an hour in costume we started lining up and I was lucky enough to march along side Vader. I stood to his right and tried to keep pace but being a first time and my own excitement I would tend to walk ahead of Vader from time to time and would have to slow down. I liked the fact unlike the Disney Parade that we could walk over to the fans and give high fives or a wave to the people waving back to you. some of the guys, the one who have done this for years really interacted with the crowed. they were great as they danced around and posed for photos but I was good to give high fives and try to keep pace with Vader. I must say for a mile long troop once we got started walking it didn’t take as long as I first thought. Before I knew it we were done and gathering up for some last min instruction.

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This is me on the long walk back to our cars. I was walking with Mongo, Rob and a few others. we were all tired and ready for some water and shade.

Once the short meeting was done we had options to take a shuttle bus (with crowed) or walk back a few blocks from the parade. So I decided to walk the mile back and get back to the staging/parking grounds. It seemed longer walking back then the parade itself. The other guys were correct and I followed their lead whenever we got close to a crowed of people we put the helmets/Buckets back on and like clock work were stopped for photo. even being tired and feet hurting it was nice to stop and see the smiles on the kids faces as they got a chance to get a picture with a real life Stormtrooper.

I had a really good time at this event I was happy to talk with so many of the other members and I am still trying to remember all the names and faces.  So this was Troop number 3 and I plan to do many more so if you want to  read about my new adventures you can sigh up on right side of the menu bar. you will be sent an email anytime I post to this site.

Take care

‘Trooper Out

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501st Members group photo with buckets on.

Photos courtesy of Rob Wojczyk

here is the “uncut” feed from the parade on Channel 4. Look for us just after the 36 minute mark…
http://www.news4jax.com/news/Uncut-Gato … index.html

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Ethan’s 12th Birthday Party

Posted in Event Stories, Trooping, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on December 30, 2012| Leave a Comment »

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Ethan 11-year old , had his 9th surgery at Wolfson Children’s Hospital this past July

I got the privilege to  troop Ethan’s 12th Birthday party and it was great to be a part of and one to be remembered.

Here is a bit of the story as told by his Mother Jennifer.

“Dear Squad 7,
This past July, our 11-year old son Ethan, had his 9th surgery at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. He was born 10 weeks premature and, as a result, has Cerebral Palsy. He has had 4 major surgeries in the past 2 years alone! We are so grateful that this most recent surgery should be last for a very long time to come!

During the summer of 2010 Ethan watched his very first episode of Star Wars…and has been obsessed ever since! We are quite certain he could recite all 6 movies from start to finish! His love for all things Star Wars has become a family affair, including his 2 younger sisters, Emma 8, and Ella 5. We regularly attend Disney’s Star Wars Weekends, have many Star Wars character costumes hanging in closets, own all the Nintendo DS games (including Lego) and proudly sport our family of storm trooper helmet decals on the back of our minivan! All that to say, we wanted to send a note of appreciation for something you, Squad 7, did for our family.

While waiting in the waiting room at the hospital this summer, as we have become so used to doing, eagerly anticipating Ethan’s surgery to be over, we were given a very unexpected surprise!
We quickly felt as though we were in a scene of a movie when the elevator doors opened and out marched Darth Vader and some of his closest friends! Needless to say, we could hardly believe our eyes. We were beyond excited to take pictures with some of the beloved characters that our house has come to know so well!

We so desperately wished our precious Star Wars loving son could have been there, too! We were given a couple of James Hance’s adorable signed prints and Wookie the Chew book! Winnie the Pooh has long been one of Ethan’s favorites since he was a “youngling” :) so we knew he would be over the moon about seeing this combination!

When he was brought up to his hospital room after his surgery and recovery time, we shared with him the exciting news that Star Wars characters were actually in the same hospital that he was, showed him the pictures, book and prints. He was so thrilled at the thought of everything, even though he was unable to see you all in person, that we are confident it helped lift his spirits.

On behalf of our son and the other children at the hospital, thank you so much for using your time, talents and love, to come visit kids and families who need a little pick-me-up and smile!

May God bless you all!

Sincerely,
Jennifer and Joel Weaver ”

Some of us with Ethan

Some of us with Ethan

Needles to say when we got to the party we approached the door with Vader leading the way. Vader knocked on the door and Ethan and family opened the door. Ethan’s face lit up with big smile and you could see the excitement as Vader wished him a Happy birthday. we all filed in one trooper after another and his eyes got bigger and bigger. We stayed and mingled with all the guest and took many photos for him to be able to look back on. One by one we wished him a happy birthday as we were leaving and we left him all smiles.

This was a great event for me and I am glad to be apart of making Ethan’s birthday on he will remember for the rest of his life.

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