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.
Photos By Jacqueline Hallé
Posted in Trooping, tagged 501st, breaking news, parade, Squad 7, St Augustine Easter Parade, starwars, Stormtroopers on April 2, 2013| 3 Comments »
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.
Photos By Jacqueline Hallé
Posted in News Flash, tagged 501st, Arthritis Walk, breaking news, costume, Everbank Field, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Jaguars, Squad 7, Star Wars, starwars, Stormtroopers, Touchdown to a Cure on March 30, 2013| Leave a Comment »
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.
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.
Once 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.
Photos by: Jacqueline Halle
Posted in News Flash, tagged 501st, 501st Legion, breaking news, charity, costume, donations, Make a wish, Squad 7, Star Wars, starwars, Stormtroopers, toys on February 5, 2013| Leave a Comment »
According 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.
Posted in News Flash, tagged 501st, breaking news, clone wars, forcast.net, ForceCast, ForceCast.net, Jason swank, Jimmy Mac, Pod cast, podcast, rebel force radio, rebelforceradio, rebelscum, Star Wars, starwars, Stormtroopers on January 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Breaking News: A big announcement has hit the Star Wars fan universe today, Jimmy Mac and Jason Swank host of the number one Star Wars podcast called the ForceCast are moving on to do their own show titled Rebel Force Radio.
Monday Jimmy and Jason will officially announce the move and provide (we hope) more detailed information on the future of the Forcecast and RebelForceRadio.
The announcement was a shock to some of their biggest fans. Twitter, Facebook and other site were buzzing with the news. but most fans are holding a wait and see attitude before rendering judgement on what’s to come. There is much speculation on why they are making the move but so far they (Jason and Jimmy) have left us with just that speculations.
I have listened to the ForceCast podcast for what seems 4 plus years. Jimmy and Jason have help keep my interest and love of Star Wars alive by listing to their weekly show. Jimmy and Jason produce a high quality show with exciting news and updates in all things Star Wars. They have interviewed many of the actors both from the movies and the Clone wars that were fun and insightful. The content of their show will not disappoint you and your love for the wars will grow with each and every episode.
The energy they both provide because of there passion for star wars is what helped me during my build of my stormtrooper armor. listing help keep me motivated to continue to work on it even when real life seemed to keep me away. I could always play the forcecast and the drive was back.
I encourage you to listen and join in the fun. As they have always said on the show. they will leave no fan behind and if you listen you wont be.
Website: Rebel Force Radio (Coming Soon)
Facebook: RebelForceRadio
Twitter: @RebelForceRadio
Rss Feed: FeedBruner – RebelForceRadio
Website: Forcecast
Facebook: Forcecast
Twitter: Forcecast
I will update this page as more information becomes available.
Posted in News Flash, tagged Feel the Force, Jacksonville, Luke, Luke Skywalker, Music, Star Wars, star wars music, starwars, Yoda, youtube on January 4, 2013| Leave a Comment »
One of the things I love about the internet is the ability to kind of randomly jump around and find things that just hit you in a fun and exciting way. I am a fan of music of all kinds and I like to hop on YouTube and do searches of covers and just look for something interesting or different.
I have found people will put anything on YouTube and put themselves out there in all sorts of way. well during on of my click happy adventures on YouTube I was searching star wars songs and fan films when I ran across a video called “Feel the Force”. It stars Yoda giving Luke his Yoda like zen wisdom on Dagobah.
Sometimes some creative Person or people are able to blend the mix of music and sound bites that just sounds and feels right. For me with headphones on I can almost Feel the Force as Yoda imparts his Jedi Knowledge. I encourage you to take a listen and watch the video but put on some headphones and bump the volume a bit and enjoy this fine Zen moment.
The remix as he calls them were created by John D. Boswell. His remix albums and body of work can be found under MelodySheep on YouTube. here you can find other remixes of all sorts. I found there were some of them I liked but nothing so much as this remix did.
Posted in Trooping, tagged 501st, Art Walk, Gator Bowl, Gator Bowl Parade 2012, Jacksonville, parade, Squad 7, Star Wars, starwars, stormtrooper on January 2, 2013| 1 Comment »
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.

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.
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.

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.

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

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
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
Posted in News Flash, tagged 501st, ForceCast, ForceCast.net, Jacksonville, Jimmy Mac, Star Wars, starwars, stormtrooper, Stormtroopers on December 23, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a person was stirring because of the Force Cast was playing and echoing all through the house.Link to A Galaxy of Music (The Christmas Version)
The ForceCast.net Website
ForceCast Podcast Mobile Apps:
Have the entire ForceCast archives at your fingertips, plus bonus shows and exclusive content!
Posted in Trooping, tagged 501st, Disney, Disney Christmas parade, Disney World, Jacksonville, Squad 7, Star Wars, starwars, Stormtroopers on November 30, 2012| 1 Comment »
Date: 11-30-2012
Location: Disney World in Orlando Florida
Mission: Troop the Disney Christmas Parade
—————————————————————————————————————————————
Trooper Log:
The morning of the event me and trooper TK3054 teamed up and headed to our mission location. We arrived at the STOLport location and checked in with legion commanders shortly after we had our gear inspected by Disney K-9 security. We then stowed our gear and boarded a charter bus that took us to the back lot of Disney.
The troops gathered their gear and headed into the change room and began to gear up in our armor. The room looked like a dance studio with mirrors all around us. Once the armor was on we headed out to the back lot where we rehearsed a few time and then I was time to start the parade.
The gate opens I am located near the end of the line of four wide troops. The whistle blows and we start to march. My view such as it is was exciting as I marched through the gate and started to see faces from people clapping and cheering us on as we moved on by. Being this was my first troop as a 501st member I was both nervous and excited but I knew I was with a great group of people that would make me look good just by being there. We marched on until we hit the main street. The castle towering behind us and the parade fans lined the streets. The announcer shouted orders from the front and we proceeded to execute our routines as directed. After we fulfilled our orders we then were ordered to return to the staging area but do it in what’s now called a Trooper Jog. Something I have never tried they are asking us to run in armor. The moment the order came down I saw troopers in front of me check all their gear to ensure nothing fell off during the Jog. The whistle blew and we were off. We jogged the length of the main street and around the bend and through the gate. We could now walk back to the staging are where we changed back into our street cloths and loaded the bus and head back to our cars. Just like that we had completed our mission and we were done.
That’s it folks that’s a breakdown of how our day went and it was fun, exciting and I loved every minute of it. I will include some links to picture and videos at the end of this post including a picture that shows where I am at in the line.
Trooper out
Posted in News Flash, tagged 501st, armor, costume, Jacksonville, Squad 7, starwars, Stormtroopers on November 22, 2012| Leave a Comment »
It’s Official
I give you TK50167 Stormtrooper
yep after 18 months of working on my TK Armor I finaly got it completed and photo submitted.
I was then dispatched an email welcoming me to the legion.
I started with this wonder box of plastic
To this awesome set of Armor
Now I am ready to server the Empire to the fullest.