Members of the 501st Legion’s ‘New England Garrison’ and the Rebel Legion’s ‘Alderaan Base’ teamed up once again to attend this annual event. Members were on-hand to pose for pictures with the event attendees, talk about Star Wars, and collect donations for Toys-For-Tots. We were also joined once again by Star Wars author Ryder Windham, who signed autographs of his books and donated the proceeds to our Toys-For-Tots collection. In addition to the troopers at the con, his excellency Jabba the Hutt graced con-goers with his presence.

After adding up the totals collected at Super MegaFest and at Rhode Island Comic Con two weeks earlier the NEG, Alderaan Base and Ryder Windham brought in a grand total of $1695.75 for Toys-For-Tots!!! There were also hundreds of dollars in toys collected at both events, some of which were donated by Ryder himself. These will be dropped off at a collection box and will help the US Marines bring a few smiles to some kids that may not have received a present if it weren’t for such a great program.

To see more photos from this event, go to our photo gallery and check out the album: http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1408

Members of the New England Garrison supported the Rebel Legion’s local unit Alderaan Base at Rhode Island Comic Con. Troopers were on hand to pose for pictures with con-goers and paricipate in a blood drive sponsored by the Rhode Island Blood Center and hosted by Star Wars author Ryder Windham. In addition to his efforts with the blood drive, Mr. Windham was also signing copies of his books and donating all of the proceeds from those sales to Toys-For-Tots. This was our first time at this convention and with the large list of special guests and the excitement of fans who enjoyed seeing us there, we are looking forward to returning to the show next year!

For the third time this year, Weird Al Yankovic came through New England to make a couple of stops for his “alpocolypse Tour”. Members of the New England Garrison visited the show and went on-stage while Al sang his Star Wars parody ‘The Saga Begins’. It did not take long for the troopers to loosen up and start dancing to the music, that is when Darth Vader was not looking anyway. Although even the Dark Lord himself gave in and helped get the crowd into the song by raising his red-bladed lightsaber into the air and waved it side-to-side!

To see more photos of this event, go to our Photo Gallery by clicking on the link. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1384

On Saturday, October 6th, members of the 501st Legion – New England Garrison and Rebel Legion – Alderaan Base spread out all over the five New England states we cover to support this nationwide event. DK Publishing sponsored events like this in libraries and book stores all over the country to try and introduce more kids to the wonders that reading a book can provide them. While at the Rochambeau Library in Providence, RI troopers came out to support Star Wars author Ryder Windham, who was on-hand to discuss Star Wars with other fans. In addition to the reading event Ryder was also there to help the Rhode Island Blood Center, who came out with their mobile donation center to collect blood from willing donors.

For more photos of the RI event, go to our Photo Gallery by clicking on the link. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1405
To see photos of the NH event, click on this link. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1403
To see photos of the VT event, click on this link. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1406

On a damp and windy Sunday in October, members of the 501st Legion – New England Garrison, Rebel Legion – Alderaan Base, and the Mandalorian Mercs – Firaxan and Wampa Clans marching on the streets of Woburn for the annual Lion’s Club Halloween Parade. Despite the less than favorable weather conditions these fine troopers stood their ground and walked along Route 38 to greet the fans who came out. There was everything from Jedi and a Clonetrooper, to TIE Pilots and X-Wing Pilots, soldiers of the Empire, followed by Bounty Hunters leading Darth Vader and the Emperor with a captured Luke Skywalker. For two years in a row bad weather has tried to stop us, and failed!

Photos from this event can be found in our Photo Gallery by clicking on the link. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1407

This was a glorious day for the Empire and one that will be long remembered! The NEG was invited to attend a double-header at historic Fenway Park for the Red Sox annual “Futures At Fenway”, which was played by minor league teams the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Lowell Spinners. The whole thing started out with Darth Vader throwing out the 1st pitch, from atop the Green Monster! Troopers also participated in other activities during the game and posed for pictures with attendees during both games.

Our Executive Officer, Andrew Liptak, made the trip up north to Derby, VT to troop this outdoor festival with members of the 501st’s Canadian Garrison. The Derby Line Community Day is a chance to get outside and enjoy some great entertainment! The troopers on-hand were there to show their support by posing for pictures throughout the day.

The New England Garrison arrived in Hanover, MA to support a reading program coordinated by the folks at the John Curtis Library. Darth Vader, Captain Rex and a Jedi padawan were on hand to greet those who came out to this event. The staff organized this teen reading program, which took place in the evening and is the inspiration behind the “Own the Night” theme. Everyone had a great time meeting the Star Wars characters and posing for pictures while picking up their summer reading material! 

Saturday, August 4th members of the 501st New England Garrision and Rebel Legion’s Alderaan Base invaded Liquid Planet Water Park for the fourth year in a row. Scout Troopers tried desperately to keep jawas out of the pool, but to no avail. Imperial Gunners dueled with Rebel Pilots on the zip lines over the park. General Grevious beat the heat by taking a dip in Liquid Planet’s crater lake. Jedi knights enjoyed some liquid refreshment on a very warm summer’s day. To cap it off, Lord Vader made his first visit to Liquid Planet, flanked by Stormtroopers and greeted by hundreds of fans. The Empire and the Alliance were able to agree on something this day; a water park is the best place to be to keep cool in August.

Pictures from this event can be seen in out Photo Gallery here: http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1398

Saint Anne’s neighborhood organization hosted a free movie night at Kennedey Park in Fall River, MA. This year they selected “Star Wars - A New Hope” to be their feature presentation. A trivia game was played before the showing for children to answer and receive prizes. Concessions were also made availible, with any revenue generated from this event directed used towards the building of a handicap accessible playground our group has pledged to build in the same park as this event.

Here is a link to ‘The Herald News’ for the story and more pictures: http://www.heraldnews.com/photos/x1356109868/-Star-Wars-under-the-stars-in-Fall-River

The Firaxan Clan of the Mandalorian Mercs teamed up with members of the New England Garrison for an event at the Flint Library in Middleton, Massachusetts. “Sparring Like a Jedi” was a program put on by Garda, a fencing and swordplay group. Lord Vader and his Bounty Hunters were able to visit the event, and took many pictures with the children in attendance.

On July 5th, members of the New England Garrison were invited to attend a Star Wars Reading Party at the Public Library in Stratham, New Hampshire. The troopers took many pictures with the attendees, as they visited various stations around the room. There were a variety of crafts for kids to do, books available for both purchase and to lend out from the library. Yoda Soda and Wookie Cookies were served as refreshments. The highlight of the day was a raffle where books and games were given out. The NEG was well received by children and their parents.

Pictures from the event can be found in our Photo Gallery here: http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1397

On June 30th, members of the New England Garrison attended a troop in Essex Vermont’s Brownell Library to support their Star Wars Club. The event, the product of a partnership between the Garrison and the Library to help provide alternate funding for the library’s programming helped to raise $290. Troopers attended a talk about the 501st to a packed library, and posed for pictures. Children’s workbooks were provided, and 501st Members donated items to the raffle. Armed with a photographic backdrop, Darth Vader, flanked with two storm troopers, was the hit of the day, with other members attending as a Clone Trooper and TIE Pilot. A member of the NEG’s sister group, Alderaan Base, attended as a Rebel Pilot. The entire group was joined by an NEG recruit’s puppet of General Grievous. Greeted with almost a hundred fans armed with cameras, the NEG posed for pictures, signed autographs and helped to keep the Star Wars club going for another 6 months!

Pictures from the event can be found in our photo gallery here: http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1395

The 501st attended another New England “Dream Big – Read!” summer event at the Keene Public Library where children assisted Imperial forces in their search for a fugitive Jawa. Library patrons also enjoyed Star Wars themed arts and crafts, as well as story telling and a question and answer session with the troopers. The “Dream Big – Read!” campaign is a nationwide collaborative effort for youth summer reading programs where children are encouraged to expand their creative horizons and imaginations, and the New England Garrison has been a stalwart partner in that effort.

Pictures from the events can be found in our photo gallery here: http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1396

On June 23rd young Stormtrooper recruits were seen scouring through the Gale Free Library in Holden, MA searching for a fugitive Jawa wanted by the Galactic Empire. The Jawa was lurking in the Children’s Department when troopers were informed of his location, and young readers had the opportunity to join them in their chase for the notorious robed scavenger as they participated in the library’s Dream Big Summer Reading Program.

See pictures from this event in our photo album: http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1394