501st Legion article

[Mrs D]

Just wanted to share a great article in the local newspaper about the Midwest Garrison of the 501st Legion. I think doing SWW this year may have officially turned me into a Star Wars geek!

Here's the article
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-08-10/entertainment/ct-ent-0811-501st-legion-20110810_1_biker-scout-stormtroopers-vader-s-fist

And some additional pics from the story.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-20110810-501st-legion-star-wars-charity-pictures,0,7836903.photogallery

 

[choirboy501]

Stormtroopers organized as the 501st? I wonder why that number...

 

[dmccarty]

Stormtroopers organized as the 501st? I wonder why that number...

I do not know for sure but I always thought it was a "copy" of the 501st Parachute or Airborne regiment which has a rather good combat record.

Later,
Dan

 

[choirboy501]

I do not know for sure but I always thought it was a "copy" of the 501st Parachute or Airborne regiment which has a rather good combat record.

Later,
Dan

I wondered if that was why. That's why I have it in my username. Geronimo!

 

[DCTooTall]

Stormtroopers organized as the 501st? I wonder why that number...

I do not know for sure but I always thought it was a "copy" of the 501st Parachute or Airborne regiment which has a rather good combat record.

Later,
Dan

A quick search on google, and their homepage has been located.

http://www.501st.com/

Under the about us section there is a nice history of how the name came to be.

 

[dmccarty]

A quick search on google, and their homepage has been located.

http://www.501st.com/

Under the about us section there is a nice history of how the name came to be.

I Googled before I guessed and found quite a bit of info on the 501st. Kinda scary that a fake military unit from the future, past, and/or galaxy far far away, has more web hits than a real, historical unit that still is in service.

Unfortunately the sites I started reading were very interesting about the fake 501st. There was one site that had their entire history. Or would that be future? It was fun reading.

Later,
Dan

 

[TK-Fett]

There are actually several members of the 501st here on the Dis. I check in here every day and I know our Legion Merchandise Officer checks in from time to time.

Disney has invited us down for the past several years to march in the parade during Star Wars weekends. It was easier to just ask us than to manufacture and store all those costumes. I have never been able to march but we have hundreds of members down there every year to march every weekend.

If you guys have any questions I will do my best to try and answer them.

On a Disney related side note, when they launched the newest Ship in Florida, they contacted the Florida Garrison to ask for costuming volunteers because they new they would be professional and put on a good show. They got several willing participants and those lucky guys got to dress as pirates for the show they put on during the launch ceremony. They even got an exclusive Cursed Aztec pirate coin with a skull wearing a mickey ear hat.

 

[Mrs D]

There are actually several members of the 501st here on the Dis. I check in here every day and I know our Legion Merchandise Officer checks in from time to time.

Disney has invited us down for the past several years to march in the parade during Star Wars weekends. It was easier to just ask us than to manufacture and store all those costumes. I have never been able to march but we have hundreds of members down there every year to march every weekend.

If you guys have any questions I will do my best to try and answer them.

On a Disney related side note, when they launched the newest Ship in Florida, they contacted the Florida Garrison to ask for costuming volunteers because they new they would be professional and put on a good show. They got several willing participants and those lucky guys got to dress as pirates for the show they put on during the launch ceremony. They even got an exclusive Cursed Aztec pirate coin with a skull wearing a mickey ear hat.

I never thought about it, but I would guess the 501st are also big Disney fans!

We missed the motorcade at this year's SWW, but I think we may have to hit an event to check out the Midwest Garrison.