On the 3rd of December 2011, Members of the 501st New England Garrison Marched along with Rebel Alderaan Base at Manchester NH’s annual Christmas Parade. Several Jedi lead the march ,with the Imperials in quick pursuit, for some 30,000+ spectators who lined Elm St to see the festive holiday parade. The Spirit of NH holiday parade is the largest Christmas Parade in NH. A donation to the Jimmy Fund was made in the name of the NEG/AB.
In attendance where 4 Snowtroopers, 3 Clones, a Biker Scout, a Stormtrooper, a Imperial Officer, Darth Vader, The Emperor, and a partridge in a pear tree.

On Saturday, December 10th members of the 501st Legion-New England Garrison and Rebel Legion-Alderaan Base arrived at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA to support the American Red Cross in the annual “Bob’s Heroes” blood drive. Commander Gree (sporting a Patriots jersey), two Stormtroopers, a Snowtrooper, Biker Scout, TIE Pilot with Imperial Crewman and Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi were on hand to pose for pictures with people waiting for their turn to donate blood. Lots of people came out to support an important, life-saving cause and everyone in attendance had a great time!

On November 6, 2011 troops representing the New England Garrison and Alderaan Base made their first appearance at the SouthCoast Toy and Comic Convention in FairHaven, MA. One of the featured guests was the 501st Honorary Member Gerald Home who held a panel for the guests, with a Biker Scout keeping the room secure, about his experience with the Star Wars films as well as the important and wonderful work the 501st does for charity. Guests of the con were able to pose with our members and learn about our organization. The Department of Social Services, Foster Families division will be receiving a donation from SouthCoast Toy and Comic, in the name of the 501st New England Garrison for our appearance.

On a cold and blustery October day – a day after a freak late season Nor’Easter which brought 12 inches of snow in some areas, the New England Garrison and Alderaan Base ventured out to one of their favorite annual events.  Between costumers and wranglers 35 people braved the cold to march in the Woburn Halloween Parade, a 3 mile jaunt through Woburn, MA.  Leading our section of the parade were the Jedi, X-Wing pilots, a Tusken and a peck of rockin’ jawas from Alderaan Base.  Following them, the parade vehicle held Lord Vader and his favorite bounty hunter, Boba Fett. Bringing up the tail were Vader’s faithful troops:  Snowtroopers, Biker Scouts, Stormtroopers, Gunners, and Crewman. Even though the previous night’s storm kept some parade viewers away, Alderaan Base and the New England Garrison represented the Star Wars Community well, and had a fun time.  Thank you to the Woburn Host Lions Club.

Photos from the event can be seen here: http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1363

Members of the New England Garrison and Alderaan Base participated in the fourth annual “Star Wars Fun Night” where they assisted in a record breaking night’s attendance of local families celebrating Star Wars through games, movies, and giveaways. Over $1500 worth of Star Wars toys were donated for the event, and were awarded to every young fan throughout the night. The Star Wars themed night also gave everyone the opportunity to don their finest Imperial and Rebel costumes and pose with members and R2-D2 during a professional photo shoot.

Photos from the event can be seen here:  http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1362

On October 15 the 501st NEG and the Rebel Legion’s Alderaan Base joined author Ryder Windham at the Rochambeau Branch Library, Providence RI for a Star Wars themed blood drive. The library greatly exceeded collection expectations and everyone had a great time!

On Saturday, October 8th members of the 501st Legion – New England Garrison and Rebel Legion – Alderaan Base arrived at the The Home Depot in Nashua NH to support the stores week long promotion of Fire Safety Awareness in the community . An NEG Imperial Crewman, Clone Trooper , Stormtrooper, Snowtrooper, Shadow Scout, and Shadow Stormtrooper, where joined by 2 Alderaan Base Jedi to pose for pictures with the many kids and their family’s that came out to the event to enjoy the popcorn, Facepainting, and to mingle with the other vendors , employees, and the many Star Wars fans that stopped by throughout the day.

On Sunday, October 2nd members of the 501st Legion – New England Garrison and Rebel Legion – Alderaan Base arrived at the Suffolk Downs Racetrack to support Autism Speaks at their Greater Boston ‘Walk Now for Autism’ charity fundraiser event. An Imperial Officer, TIE Pilot, Imperial Crewman, Clone Trooper and two X-Wing pilots posed for pictures with the many teams that came out for the walk. Teams made up of families affected by Autism as well as businesses that assemble their own company teams raise money year-round and turn that money in at this event. Everyone had a great time walking the racetrack, dancing to music and playing games on what turned out to be a beautiful fall day.

On Sunday, September 25 members of the 501st New England Garrison and Alderaan Base Rebel Legion were in attendance at the Newton Wellesley Hope Walks event. This walk is an annual event at the hospital to raise funds for their Vernon Cancer Center, which provides diagnosis, treatment and support services to patients in the community. The troopers met walkers as they arrived to registar and cheered them on as the walk began, along with the Newton North High School cheerleaders. Donation totals will be posted on the walk website at http://giving.nwh.org/Page.aspx?pid=406

On Sunday, September 11th, the New England Garrison of the 501st Legion, and Alderaan Base of the Rebel Legion were invited to join the American Red Cross for a blood drive. This was no ordinary blood drive; this blood drive took place at historic Fenway Park in Boston, MA; the home of the Boston Red Sox. Darth Vader, with one of his most trusted Stormtroopers was joined by a pair of X-wing pilots to roam around the park. Inside the stadium, there were 4 different donation stations set up. The troops from both legions wandered around the park, visiting all the different donor areas, entertaining volunteers and donors alike. Many pictures were taken, including some with a pair of World Series trophies! Over 2000 people came through the doors and the American Red Cross was able to collect 1800 units of life saving blood! Although none of the troops donated blood, they were honored to help support a special cause in a special place on a special day.

On Saturday, August 6th, the New England Garrison teamed up with the Lowell Spinners, the Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox for Star Wars Day at LeLacheur Park in Lowell, MA.  The Spinners all wore specially created jerseys that resembled Stormtrooper armor.  After the game, the jerseys were auctioned off to benefit the Joann Weber Charitable Fund.

The weather was overcast and extremely muggy making it feel a bit like Dagobah but the Spinners staff did an amazing job making sure the troops were well cared for, rested and hydrated.  The sell out crowd loved seing Lord Vader and his troops once again as the Sith Lord threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

In addition to the first pitch and signing autographs for the fans, troops took part in on field activites through the first few innings of the game and visited fans throughout the ballpark.  A pesky Jawa was even spotted hanging out of the windows of one of the private suites waving to the fans.

Thanks to Jon Boswell and the Lowell Spinners for a great day at the ballpark!

On July 30th 2011, members of the 501st New England Garrison and Alderaan Base joined forces to support the Skating for Hope event at Buffone Arena in Worcester, MA. Troops came out on the invitation of Dave McGrath, a brain cancer survivor, who organized the event and was skating for 24 straight hours to raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Worcester. Hope Lodge provides free rooms to cancer patients from all over the world who are getting treatment in local hospitals. The day was filled with many special guests, each sponsoring an hour of the event. During the “Star Wars Hour”, a special Star Wars collection was raffled off as well. For more information about Dave McGrath’s cancer survival story and the history behind Skating for Hope, visit his blog at http://mylifescanned.blogspot.com/2011/03/skating-for-hope-flyer.html. More information about Skating for Hope, an annual event, can be found here http://www.skatingforhope.myevent.com/index.php.

On Saturday, July 31st, the New England Garrison and Alderaan base teamed up with the Lowell Spinners, the Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox for Star Wars Day at LeLacheur Park in Lowell, MA.  Special Star Wars themed jerseys were once again worn by the players on the field to be auctioned off after the game to benefit the Joann Weber Charitable Fund.

The weather was beautiful for a ball game (and for trooping) and the park was once again sold out.  The New England Garrison was led by Darth Vader as he teamed up with Chewbacca to throw out the ceremonial first pitch to Red Sox pitching prospects Keith Couch and Tyler Lockwood. 

In addition to signing autographs and posing for pictures, members of the NEG and Alderaan Base participated in events throughout the day such as judging a grinder eating competition, running the bases with the Canaligator, dancing to the Chicken Dance and tossing t-shirts to eager fans from the top of the Mystery Machine.  Thank you to Jon Boswell from the Lowell Spinners for all the work he put in to making this day possible.  Thanks as well to all the members and fans who made the event a great success!

On June 2nd, 2010, members of the 501st New England Garrison and Alderaan Base of the Rebel Legion participated in a Make-A-Wish send-off for Ayden Beisaw, a seven year old from Wilton, ME who received a Make a Wish party like no other.  Ayden’s wish included a trip to Star Wars Weekends at Walt Disney World. 

Ayden was not expecting the Stormtroopers and Biker Scouts, led by a TIE pilot to burst into the room, searching for the Rebel scum that had infiltrated the party.  After cornering Han Solo, the troops were “convinced” by the presence of Chewbacca to delay capturing the Rebels, and form a truce during Ayden’s special day.  This was a case where it was best to let the wookiee win!  After presenting Ayden with his Honorary Member certificate and bi-legional jersey the Rebels escaped and the Imperials took off in hot pursuit. 

Thanks to Make-A-Wish, the New England Garrison, and Alderaan Base for making Ayden’s day such a fantastic event!

We’d like to thank Portland Maine’s CBS affiliate, WGME 13 for their great story and video on the day’s event:

http://www.wgme.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wgme_vid_3827.shtml

On, May 22nd, 2010, members of the New England Garrison descended upon the Higgins Armory Museum for their second Star Wars Day. Last year, the Garrison trooped a similar event, with enthusiastic results.

Founded in 1961 when collector John Higgin’s collection went public, the museum now houses thousands of historical pieces, from armor to weapons, stained glass and paintings from all over the world, including armor from the Middle East, Feudal Japan, Renaissance Europe, as well as Ancient Greece and Rome. The museum aims to educate the public on the role and history behind the use of armor and weapons from around the world.

The 501st, with their history of armor and costuming represented a perfect fit for the two organizations. During the troop over the weekend, they were joined by Alderaan Base, the sister Rebel Legion group, and presented panels on armor creation and dressing a trooper, as well as lightsaber demonstrations, to over 760 attendees. In-between presentations, members of the Garrison, mingled with museum patrons, posting for pictures and greeting eager Star Wars fans, inside and out. The garrison as a whole had a fantastic time, as did the hundreds of people who stopped by!