Event Round Up, September
October 24th, 20179/1-3 Escape Velocity, DC
Friday Kevin and Shep were there early to set everything up, EV gave us a nice big space to fill up with PR Table, Helmet and Weapons display as well as a nice changing area attached to the booth area. It was pretty much Kevin, Caela, and Shep on Friday and the crowd was pretty light, but we talked to all that showed up to the table as well as wandered around. Saturday, of course, was our biggest attendance. We had a good number of troopers suited up to hang around the table as well as go wandering about. Sunday was very light both in Trooper numbers as well as the crowd, and we pretty much kept ourselves entertained. We were selling the MD Cog Pin and raised $24.26.
Troopers: (List troopers in alphabetical order)
Friday September 1
Allen Shepherd – TI
Caela Mandigo
Saturday September 2
Allen Shepherd – IN
Caela Mandigo
Bill Thomas – IS
Cheryl Thomas – ID
Melissa Ralph – TI
William Ralph – ID
Robert Boyce – TI
Todd Blatt – TK
Phil Gastilo – DZ
Sunday September 3
Allen Shepherd – IG
Brian Vetter – TK
Emily Schram – CC
Melissa Ralph – TI
William Ralph – ID
Robert Boyce – TI
Other Garrison Troopers
Kevin Belling (GT) – TK
9/3–Nick & Emily’s Wedding, DC
We arrived at 6:30 and dressed in the Air B&B that our hosts had graciously rented for our use. A friend of the bride and groom, Dalton, took great care of us, helping us get ready. Around 7:30, we headed out for a short walk through the city to the ceremony venue. Dalton was a natural and expertly fended off photo requests and a house party invite, keeping us on task and on time. We did make a small exception for two EMTs who pulled their ambulance over to take a quick photo with us. We arrived at the venue to cheers and took a quick photo with the bride and groom. We then escorted the party from the ceremony venue to the reception to even more cheers and thinks from passing motorists. We arrived to a lightsaber arch, through which we led the bride, groom, and their guests. We then posed for photos and danced a little. The bride announced that the guests were welcome to add to the donation the couple planned to make to Casa Ruby, a charity for at-risk LGBT youth, on our behalf. She gave the guests a brief overview of the 501st, emphasizing our charitable work and referencing our 2016 fundraising accomplishments from the 501st.com site. We were truly humbled to have our work recognized in such a thoughtful way. After more photos and dancing, we posed for one more photo with the happy couple at about 8:30 and Dalton escorted us back to change. This was a very fun and rewarding experience and we wish Nick and Emily all the best.
Troopers:
Charlie Mann – TI
Melissa Ralph – TI
William Ralph – TK
Brian Vetter – TK
Jess Wedlock – TK
9/9 – Deafopia Expo, DC
TK-86347 and TI-13621 arrived at 15:00. We had a little trouble finding where to park but got that sorted out quickly. We got ready in a room at the university’s hotel and conference center. We headed down at 15:30, shared an elevator ride with a few puzzled patrons, and posed for a few pictures in the lobby. Out host picked us up in a golf cart and showed us to a small stage area where Deafies in Drag were about to perform. We posed for some group photos and flanked the show, then went off on patrol. It was a little challenging to combine limited ASL proficiency with gloves and a helmet but with liberal use of the signs “I’m sorry,” “I’m hearing,” and “thank you,” we got by. Everyone we interacted with was thrilled to see us. We patrolled the expo, posing for photos, dancing at the DJ booth, and having a great time. At 18:00, we called it an evening, and walked back to the conference center to change and grab some water. We changed and headed back down to the lobby at 18:45. Our host says he wants 20 of us next year. With as much fun as we had, that shouldn’t be hard to deliver.
Troopers:
Josh Orr – TR
Melissa Ralph – TI
William Ralph – TK
9/10 – Fired Up for Childhood Cancer – Severna Park
Troopers arrived by between 10 and 11, and we were escorted to the Firehouse gym to change and store our gear. We headed out and were immediately rushed for photos by those in attendance. There were different types of firetrucks, and we posed for pics with the equipment and crew. We stood beside the road and waved at passing traffic, inviting them to come in.
A special moment came in our day when a youngling came up to us, saying he was lost and couldn’t find his parents. His grandmother quickly found us, and was very pleased to have found him. What we all noticed immediately was that the young lad had walked past the firefighters and police officers to come to us for help – respect for the Empire extends across the galaxy! We took breaks as needed, and our host made sure we had water and food on this hot day. We took one final picture with all the event’s costumed attendees, gave our thanks, and said our goodbyes.
Big thanks to Dan and Lisa for their expert Squiring!
OLG Troopers:
Bill Thomas – IS
Cheryl Thomas – ID
Melisssa Ralph – TI
Pat Vatrone – TK
Rob Cross – SL: Vader
William Ralph – TK
Visiting Troopers:
Donna Ratledge – TI (GC)
Galactic Academy:
Conner Vatrone -DZ
Mary Ratledge – IC (GC)
Nick Dinko – TK
Squires:
Dan Dinko
Lisa Dinko
9/16 – Andrews AFB Air Show, Camp Springs
Phil picked up Nishaad and Thomas at Nishaad’s residence. They arrived at Andrews AFB, Pearl Harbor Gate at 0600 and proceeded through the sentry hut and met our POC, Randy Sena, at the guard shack. After receiving parking placards/wristbands, followed Mr. Sena to hangar 2 to drop off bins. After getting changed, the troopers took pictures and spoke with some vendors setting up. At 0900, Tom suited up into his TI and we trooped around the flight deck. We took pictures with the public and made one loop back to the hangar in time for lunch, at the same time that the air demonstrations were going on. It was great to see the Golden Knights jump in and the fly bys of the B2 Stealth Bomber, Japanese Zeroes, and P51 Mustang were awesome. But the best demo was by the F-22 Raptor! Seeing that thing show its air superiority capabilities was incredible.
After lunch, Tom suited back up and Phil got into his Jawa. There were more people by this time, and we were mobbed just outside of the hangar. It took several minutes just to move 10 yards. Nishaad was an excellent squire and managed to get us out to the tarmac where there was more room for pictures. We were nicely received by the public in general. We again made one big loop of the flight deck and got back to the hangar. By this time,
1600, the Thunderbirds began their demo and we suited down, packed up, and walked back to the car.
Troopers:
Thomas Pomerico – TI
Phil Gastilo – DZ
Squire:
Nishaad Knights
9/16 – National Drive Electric Week – Poolesville, MD
We arrived between 8:30 and 9:00, suited up, and headed down to the load-in area for the parade. By 10:00, the parade was underway. As with last year, the event was well-attended, and we interacted with many loyal Imperial citizens who were just thrilled to see us. Following the parade, we took a quick water break and posed for photos with some of the electric vehicles, then headed back out to patrol the festival. We enjoyed meeting the locals, both human and animals, and posed for many photos. At 13:30, the heat had become oppressive, so we trekked back to the electric vehicles area to change and headed out around 14:00.
OLG Troopers:
Bill Thomas – TI
Cheryl Thomas – ID
Josh Graham- TI
Melissa Ralph – TI
William Ralph – TK
Squires:
Henry Bradford
Rebecca Cook
9/17 – Heroes Run, Annapolis
We arrived at the event around 10:30 am and set up. Huge thanks to Charlie for going on a side mission to pick up the PR bin last minute for the tables. After getting breakfast at Mission BBQ, we got suited up and hung around the tables. A couple troopers would wander around a little, while others stayed at the tables to take photos with people. At 2pm, we watched the opening ceremonies and cheered the runners as they started the race. Way to go Charlie and Matt for completing the race in kit! We got unsuited after the beginning of the race, mingled until the runners were coming back, and then broke everything down to head home.
Troopers:
Charlie – TI
Devin – TB
Emily – Rex
Eric – TB
Matt – TK
Shep – IN
Jason – R2
Donna Ratledge – TI (GC)
Mary Ratledge – IC (GC – GA)
Squires:
Bill Thomas
Cheryl Thomas
9/23 – Barracks Row Fall Festival, DC
After some challenges in finding parking, we arrived at our changing and staging area. The metro station was very close by, so metro might be a good alternative to driving if we attend the festival next ear. The festival had set us up with a tent, table, and chairs right in front of the local business that was letting us use its facilities for changing and escaping the heat. We began our patrol shortly after 10:30 and explored all of the sights the festival had to offer. There was a petting zoo, trapeze/areal silks performers, CPR demonstrations, several vendors, and more. At 12:00 and 15:00 we gave a brief, buckets-off interviews at the stage about OLG and our activities. The festival generously provided us with lunch and plenty of water, and Nishaad and TJ were the most helpful squires we could ask for. We all had a great time, even with the unseasonable warmth. A little after 16:00, we headed back to cool down and change, leaving just as the festival was breaking down at 17:00.
OLG Troopers:
Charlie Mann – TI
Melissa Ralph – TI
Robert Boyce – TI
William Ralph- ID
Squires:
Nishaad Knights
TJ Rosetti
9/23 – Main Street Music Fest, Ellicott City
Jesse and Charles arrived around 10:40 and suited up, and met up with Patrick. A quarter to 12 we made our way to Lot D and patrolled the festivities, and brought smiles from all. Around 1 Rob, Mike and Kyle with Abby and Keria in tow made their entrance. As we all patrolled taking numerous pics along the way, we encountered some unfamiliar troopers dressed in blue cloth uniforms (Union Soldiers), come to find out they are fighting “rebels” too. As usual we were well received by the patrons of the festival. The volunteer staff was great with providing water….IT WAS HOT! Also a great shout out to the awesome staff of All Time Toys for letting us get some shelter from the heat.
A great day for all.
OLG Troopers:
Patrick Talbott – TS
Mike Perkins-TD
Jesse Pollock- TS
Rob Heck – TK
Kyle Harkins – TD
Charles Singer- FO/TI
Squires:
Miss Abby Heck
Galactic Academy:
Miss Keira Perkins – ID
