9/2–Episode IV Screening, Silver Spring

Everyone showed up by 1800, and they gave us their big conference room that they have provided before. They supplied us with popcorn and water as well. They wanted us suited and out by 1820. This year they had an area outside the theater room they were showing the movie for us to stand and take pictures. Everyone was so excited when they saw us standing there waiting for them. The showing was sold out. Before the movie started they did an introduction, and we walked down to the front of the theater. After that we all got changed and headed down to our saved seats to watch the movie. A special welcome to Brian who came out as a new squire!

Troopers:
Shep – IG
Melissa – ID
William – TK
Jason – R2

Squires
Brian

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9/3–Episode V Screening, Silver Spring

We arrived and got ready in the AFI’s 3rd floor conference room. The AFI had sent a photographer and an aspiring future trooper to document the evening. Once we were all ready, we took the elevator down to greet fans in the lobby. The AFI had a step & repeat set up where we posed for pictures. We also headed out for some photos in front of the theater and to entertain the hopefuls in the long waiting list line. We were introduced and marched down to the front of the theater right before the film. Lord Vader and the bounty hunter exchanged some dialogue and the crowd went wild. After that, Lord Vader got some photo ops on the roof and in the projection booth. A good time was had by all.

Troopers:
Bryan – Fett
Melissa – ID
William – TK
Rob C – Vader

Squires:
Brian B
Becca
Henry
Rick

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9/10–Locust Point Festival, Baltimore

We had a little trouble getting in. There was very little parking around and, when we called the event contact, she told us she wouldn’t be there and to just find street parking. We parked about 4 blocks away and suited up in the recreation center. There were a lot of vendors and food stations set up in the park plus some activities for the kids by the playground area. We patrolled the festival, took pictures with kids and adults alike, and chatted about the empire with a few interested children. It was exceedingly hot, so we were only able to stay for a few hours. They seemed very glad to have us there.

Troopers:
Melissa – ID
William – TK

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9/10–Essex Library SW Celebration

It was a small troop with two cadets, two sandtroopers and Pat V. to help out as a squire. We all had fun even though it was only an hour long. There were about 40-50 people present. Our cadets did really well! They had a Star Wars toys display by the Rebel Legion, droid building, coloring pages and books for the occasion.

Troopers:

Mike P-TD
Jesse P-TD
Ragan P-DZ (GA)
Keira P-TB (GA)

Squire:
Pat V.

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9/10 & 11–Special Olympics Salute to the Military

Saturday:

This was a nice event, even if it was hot (94 degrees…) We suited up about 09:30. After that, we wandered around and met with some of the Special Olympics folks. We visited the indoor and outdoor vendor booths. In addition to us, they had various groups providing live music, a motorcycle ride, and short fun walk. The sponsors were kind enough to provided us water and a few air conditioned areas to take breaks in. We also got leads on some upcoming events.  Most importantly, it was Brian’s first troop! Congratulations!!!!

Troopers:
Brian – FO TK
Matt – TK
Jason – R2

 

Sunday:

We arrived shortly after 9 and were told that they weren’t expecting a good turnout based on yesterday, so it was up to us if we still wanted to troop. We decided to go ahead with it, but let Scott know that we didn’t expect needing a squire. We got suited up and went down to the Shipley building, where most of the tables were set up. Attendance was very light but there were a few kids who were very excited to see us. There were also representatives from the Cubs Scouts that were interested in learning more, so we gave them some of the OLG business cards. We wrapped up around noon. Even though the event was small, everyone was very nice and accommodating and we had a great time.

Troopers:
William – TK
Melissa – ID

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9/11–Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run, Annapolis

Most of us arrived around 10/10:30am to start getting set up and eat some Mission BBQ breakfast. The Blast-A-Trooper booth was set up with a 2nd photo backdrop and the PR table. We were suited up and ready to go by noon when the crowds started funneling in. We had a few folks wandering in kit while a few stayed back at the tables to staff the BAT and take photos with runners and their families.

At 2pm, we went up to where the race would begin to hear a few words, stand for the National Anthem, and watch the runners take off. It’s always emotional to watch the runners in full Fire Fighter gear or combat gear run the 5k while carrying the flag. After the 1 mile runners took off, a few of us tagged along at the end of the line to finish up the race.

We started to break down everything around 3/:30pm as the event started to die down. Thanks to our efforts, $106 were raised in a couple of hours. This is always a solid event and it’s definitely growing. Hopefully, we’ll be asked to come out again next year.

Troopers:
Emily – CC
Shep – Table Duty
Barron – TB
Devin – TB
Jarred – TB (Carida)
Chris – TR
Warren – Veers
Charles – Scruffy the Imperial Janitor
Matt – TK
Stephen – TK
Jake – TK
Delaney – Boussh (GA)
Ryan – Jawa (GA)
Jason – R2

RL:

Kathryn – Padme (Ghost)
Joy – Rebel Pilot
Joe – Jedi

Squires:
Kami
Kelly

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9/16–Boys and Girls CLub Flix at the Field, Olney

We arrived and little before 6 and met up with Marc from the mandos. We got suited up in the restrooms behind the concessions stand while the screen was being set up. The event was pretty big with a giant inflatable screen set up in the football field. VIPs had reserved seats in inflatable recliners that looked most comfortable. We patrolled around the field, concessions stand, and food truck and posed for photos with the guests. One young man and his mother heard that rebel scum are planning an exploit in December and wanted information about joining the empire before then. They took down the name of the garrison and we’re interested to hear that we had a Galactic Academy. We headed back to the changing area when it became too dark to troop without tripping. The weather was beautiful and the boys and girls club was very gracious and accommodating and offered us free food and drink from the concessions stand. Very fun troop.

Troopers:
William – TK
Melissa – ID
Marc (Kyrimorut Clan)

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9/17–Poolsville Day & National Drive Electric Week Celebration

We arrived around 8:00 and made contact. There was a large section reserved for us and the electric vehicles off the end of the parade route spanning two parking lots and a large grassy area. We were given use of an RV for changing and cooling off. We had plenty of time, so we decided to go ahead and do the parade. Bill enjoyed a slightly precarious ride down to the parade start standing on the back of a golf cart. After a fair amount of waiting, the parade got started. We walked about a half a mile back to the electric vehicle area, waiving at many fans. There was an impressive assortment of electric vehicles, including several that had been converted from gas cars. We took pictures with the cars and owners, who enjoyed our presence very much. When we started to get hungry, we walked down to the food trucks. It took about an hour to go two blocks because of all the excited kids and adults who wanted photographs. When we made it to the food trucks, we enjoyed some particularly good Mexican food before heading back to the electric vehicles. It was a beautiful day but still a little on the warm side. We changed back at about 2:30. This was a fun event and very well attended, probably about 15,000 or so guests. We probably only saw about 1/3 of it in total. Our sponsors was very glad to have us and treated us very well with plenty of water, snacks, and soft drinks available. He indicated that he hopes we can return next year and in greater numbers.

Troopers:
Melissa (ID)
Bill (TK)

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9/17–15th Annual Buddy Walk, Frederick
The weather was great for this troop! The kids were wonderful! We got lots of hugs today. Like last year, we spent most of the time roaming. The sponsors were kind enough to provide us with food and t-shirts. Thanks to the three Rebel Legion and four Mandalorians that trooped with us! We would also like to welcome our new Squire/Cadet, Lexie. This troop will be on my must-do list for next year.

Troopers:
Jacob – TK
Matt – TK

Squires:
Lexie
Kami

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9/18–Curefest for Childhood Cancer, DC

Everyone found their way to the changing tent between 10 and 11; it was a small tent so we all took turn changing. We were also set upon by Mando Mercs, but we worked everything out in the end. To say it was hot and muggy would be an understatement, but we soldiered on. I would say that we were a hit with the crowd once we emerged from the changing tent. We made our way to Tent 1 where our POC was situated, and we stood there for the most part to take pictures with the crowd. At noon the walk took place, and we stood on either side encouraging those that were walking by giving high fives. Around 1300 we started slowly de-suiting due to the heat and humidity and by 1400 everyone was pretty tuckered out.  Thanks to Andy and Shannon for coming out to squire for us they did a great job!

Troopers:
Shep – IG
Bryan – BH
Melissa – ID
William – TK

Squires

Andy
Shannon

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9/24–Ellicott City Music Fest, Columbia

They gave the three groups (501st/RL/Mercs) trailers where everyone got suited up. We met the R2 Builders in the “Star Wars Village” where we had set up Jason’s backdrop for photos and a shared table for 501st and R2 propaganda. A couple of the troopers roamed while another group stayed at the table to take photos with folks. We sold 66 stickers to donate to the Ellicott City relief! We broke the area down around 4pm. It was a good time and the crowd seemed to enjoy having us again.

Troopers:
Rob C – Vader
Matt M – TK
Michael P – TD
Jesse P – TD
Bill – TK
Melissa – Officer
Warren – Veers
Delaney – GA
Stephanie – DS
Jason – R2

Squires:
Emily
Brian
RL:
James
Norman
Kix

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9/25–7th Annual Montgomery County VisionWalk, Rockville

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9/25–Carter’s 7th Birthday, Rosedale

We arrived at the location and we’re met by the parents. They provided one of the kids’ bedrooms as a staging area for us. We all got suited up and headed out the front door to walk around to the back yard to surprise Carter and his friends. We were well received, even though the birthday boy seemed a little shy at first. He quickly warmed up to us along with the other kids. My GA Jawa was making the kids laugh and passing out little toys as Stephanie and James were answering some well thought out questions from the others. This was an outside party, and luckily there was a shady part of the yard that we could stand in.

We then posed for a bunch of photos; group, individual, and family. The father then inquired about joining our ranks, and we answered a bunch of questions on that. James encouraged the father to hop on the boards and get some advice from some of our members before just buying something. He also discussed his com pad unit and the purpose of his code cylinders. Stephanie answered what seemed like a million questions regarding Luke, his whereabouts, his hand, etc. I was asked a bunch of questions about droids, why I cant shoot straight, and how hot it is on Tatooine. Then, after messing around and acting up with the kids, we sang “Happy Birthday” to Carter. We then hung out for a bit more before packing it in and calling it a day. (1.5 hours)

I also issued Carter an Imperial (MEPD) Citation for his unauthorized Rebel gathering, as well as harboring fugitive droids. (His BB-8 Birthday cake).

~Jesse

Troopers:
Stephanie – MJ
James – TI
Jesse – TD
Regan – Jawa (GA)

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