2/3–Hospital Visit at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore

Our Troopers all arrived at the hospital and were dressed by 10am, along with three members of the Rebel Legion. We were greeted and profusely thanked by welcome staff from the hospital as well as LFL. We changed in their media center, where they shoot many in-house tv shows and commercials.

We were given a rundown of the day’s planned activities, first of which was shooting a promotional video with a young boy. It took a while for Kevin, Juan, and Andy to muster up their best smiles, but the good guys (including R2 and the young star of the show) pulled it off flawlessly.

Afterwards we all went downstairs to mingle and interact with patients, their families, hospital staff and more.
We took pictures, handed out toys, and there was even a lightsaber wielding instructional taught by our Jedi friends!

We broke for a wonderful lunch that was provided for us. Then we all geared up again and split up into two groups to do individual room visits. It was a little saddening to see some of children and their families in various states of physical pain. But for a few hours, there was no pain. There was no fear. Even just for a little while, those feelings of sadness were replaced with smiles and joy and tears of gratitude.

Troopers:

Kevin – TK
Juan – TK
Andy – TB

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2/12–Julian’s Birthday, Annapolis

Troopers arrived on time and were provided a room to change. Based on the decor of the room, including Star Wars Legos and action figures, we knew we were dealing with a big fan.  We waited in private to surprise Julian – what we heard in the other room turned out to be about 30 young Jedi padawans receiving instruction in the use of lightsabers.  After their training, we entered the party to ensure these younglings were still loyal to the Empire – indeed, we discovered several wearing the costumes of Darth Maul, Mandolorians, and the great Dark Lord Darth Vader himself.

We mingled with the younglings and their parents, posing for photos and interacting with a large screen viewing of the Battle of Yavin; we were successful in eliciting sympathy when the the Death Star was destroyed.

When the younglings began to eat cake and open presents, we adjourned back to privacy to change and depart.

Troopers
Rob Heck – TK
Jesse Polluck – TS
Bill Thomas – TI

Squires
Cheryl Thomas
Gabby Heck
Bill Ralph (Moff)

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2/16–David’s Birthday Party, Frederick

From the personal journal of Rob Cross, SL-52654…

“It was amazing to see how much joy it brought to David and his friends… but especially his mother was so appreciative. She came up to me while in costume and said “David’s father passed away when he was only 1 year old, and Darth Vader has been the only father he’s ever known, so you being here means the absolute WORLD to him” … I nearly started crying under my bucket. David and his friends gave Vader big hugs during my visit, and many pictures were taken. It was a good troop.

Trooper:

Rob – SL

Squire:

Kami

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2/17-19 — Farpoint, Timonium

Farpoint is DEFINITELY a much smaller, more intimate convention than KatsuCon that was happening at National Harbor this weekend.  This convention had much more of a “family reunion” feeling to it than a traditional SciFi convention.  Lori Frye, who joined us from Garrison Tyrannus, outfitted our table with banners and decorations that were the highlights of the Fangroup Room.  Most attendees had already heard of the 501st; many people did stop by the table and said hello anyway.

Troopers:
Friday
Lori Frye (Tyranus)

Saturday
Larry Peterka
Andy Youell
Eric Grubb
Brian Jones
Lori Frye (Tyranus)
Kate Walsh (Corellia)

Sunday
Bill Thomas
Larry Peterka
Ski
Joe Cab
Stephanie Combes
James Combes

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2/17-19 — Katsucon, National Harbor

Once again this event was a success, we talked to so many people. Everyone love having us there. This year we were set up in the back left corner of the Merch Hall and at first, we thought we weren’t going to get a lot of foot traffic due to the location.  We were wrong. The Rebels didn’t show up, (no one told them that they had a both this year?), so we took over their area as our photo backdrop area, and it was a great success. Scott and Kevin from Garrison Tyranus had fun scaring those that thought they were mannequins.

Troopers

Friday

Shep
Anna Mitchell (GT)
Bria LaVorgna (GT)
Chris Williams (GT)
Scott Hulls (GT)
Joe Cab
Kevin Belling (GT)

Saturday

Shep
Anna Mitchell (GT)
Bria LaVorgna (GT)
Chris Williams (GT)
Scott Hulls (GT)
Emily Schram
Jess Wedlock
James Welsh (Corellia)
Brian Vetter
Vinny Accardi (GT)
Jamie Park
Jason Pangborn (R2)
Colleen Johnson (GT)
Kevin Belling (GT)

Sunday

Shep
Kevin Belling (GT)
Anna Mitchell (GT)
Bria LaVorgna (GT)
Chris Williams (GT)
Scott Hulls (GT)
Danielle Caulk
Collen Johnson (GT)
Amber Pratt (GT)
Jamie Park
Matthew Blank (GC)
Jason Pangborn (r2)

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2/24–Cub Scout Pack 169 Blue & Gold Banquet, Ijamsv

We arrived at 18:00 and were shown to a spacious classroom to change. Two scouts were designated to help us, and they and their leaders were most accommodating. We were left with a cooler full of water and soda and several snacks and sandwiches. There was even a tray of goodie bags with home made Star Wars candies and cupcakes. After the scouts and their guests finished their dinner, we made our way to the stage and were introduced. We mingled with the crowd, posed for photos, and watched the scouts perform several Star Wars themed skits. After the skits, we were called back to the stage and Mara Jade and ID 13621 presented the scouts with trophies from the pinewood derby. Finally, we were asked to judge our favorite cakes from the Friends of Scouting cake auction. The Rebel Legion chose an R2D2-themed cake, the Empire chose a Chewbacca cake and the Mandolorians chose a cake representing one of their own being consumed by a sarlacc. One of the auction winners was gracious enough to share his spoils and gave each of us a cookie from the platter he had won. Full of sugar and good will, we returned to the classroom to change and headed out by 21:00.

Troopers:
Jess – TK
Melissa – ID
William – TK
Stephanie – MJ

Squires:
Patrick