501neg recent photos http://www.501neg.com/photos/ http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1253 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1253 The NEG participated in the Auburn, MA Independence Day celebration including a short parade and outdoor festival. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1252 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1252 Alderaan Base invited the New England Garrison along to the Brockton Rox Star Wars night in Brockton, MA. Thanks to Alderaan Base for inviting us along. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1249 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1249 Our friends at Hasbro invited us to their employee's family Kid's Carnival. Darth Vader and his minions trooped the halls of Hasbro and played games with the kids. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1250 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1250 The NEG and Alderaan Base visited the Franciscan Children’s Hospital in Brighton, MA. While the Imperials showed up with a TIE Pilot, Biker Scout and Imperial Gunner the Rebels arrived with Princess Leia, a Jedi Knight and the mighty Chewbacca. All of the troopers, both Imperials and Rebels alike, made the rounds visiting sick children in their rooms as well as meeting with small groups of children in a conference room. The kids were all very excited to see us there to visit and it was very rewarding to bring a smile to their faces. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1246 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1246 On Saturday, June 19th Paige Josti (TX-8606), Bob Josti (TK-1839) and Mike Brunco (IC-7796) of the New England Garrison held a blood drive that they had been organizing at St. John's High School in Shrewsbury, MA. The blood drive was in honor of Bob's brother Mike, who required 40 units of blood during an emergency operation to save his life. In addition to the NEG there were three other groups in attendance to help us support this event. We had members of the local Rebel Legion group Alderaan Base, members of the local Mercs clan, and even a few Ghostbusters came out to help us support the cause. All together we collected 86 units of blood with 20 whole blood donations!!! This was a great event all around and it was really something special to be a part of this. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1243 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1243 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, who's wish included a trip to Star Wars Weekends at Walt Disney World. Ayden's special day was capped with an honorary induction into both groups as well as being presented with his own custom jersey and other gifts. Thank you to Make-A-Wish and to Ayden's family for including us all in the fun! http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1242 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1242 The NEG once again visited Granite State Comic Con and hosted a recruitment table as well as a movie and panel: Star Wars Builders which documented our epic Dewback and Landspeeder builds with Alderaan Base. The con itself wasn't very busy but we had a lot of fun and raised a bit of money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1235 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1235 The NEG and members of Alderaan Base stepped back to a time long, long ago in a galaxy far, far aw...oh wait... pretty close actually! Comparisons between sci-fi armor and historical armor as well as armor building/wearing panels were given all day. Kids played Star Wars BINGO with the troops and everyone had a great time! http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1233 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1233 Ryder Windham, author of over sixty Star Wars and Indiana Jones books and Honorary 501st member, made a presentation of rare photographs and illustrations related to The Empire Strikes Back, and also revealed how vintage Star Wars toys, comic books, and comic strips helped shape our memories of the movie. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1231 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1231 The third event at Lazergate Laser Tag was a great turn out to help support the Jimmy Fund. Thank you to the local members of the Mandalorian Mercs for coming out to help take part in our Mandos vs. the Empire themed event. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1230 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1230 We we honored to be a part of the Red Cross Corporate Blood Drive held in Dedham, MA. Troopers were on hand to encourage those giving blood and to promote the importance of giving blood. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1228 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1228 Hub Comics in Union Sqaure, Somerville asked the NEG to participate in their Free Comic Book Day event. A small contingent of dedicated troops went and drummed up support out on the sidewalk. Local cartoonists did drawing demos and a the store held a canned food drive. Thanks for having us out! http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1227 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1227 The Comic Stop in Watertown, MA asked the NEG to participate again in their participation of Free Comic Book Day. What started as a last minute request turned into a nice showing of members in costume. Biker Scouts and Clones directed traffic out in front of the shop and everyone had a great time. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1226 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1226 Once again, Rubber Chicken Comics in Bellingham, MA invited the NEG to participate in their Free Comic Book Day event. Unfortunately, this year due to a few troopers needing the field medic, only one sole trooper was able to guard the post. He wasn't totally alone though, he spent the day with the New England Ghostbusters and some comic book characters pooling the charitable donations and receiving just shy of $100 for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Thanks to Jay for having us out! http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1224 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1224 Local Vermont troopers of the 501st New England Garrison invaded Church Street, South Burlington on May 1st to celebrate and spread awareness of Free Comic Book Day at the local comic book store Earth Prime Comics. In addition, the duo in white handed out Imperial Citations to potential rebel sympathizers, and raised money for the Children s Literacy Foundation. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1221 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1221 The PawSox invited us back to McCoy Stadium for another Star Wars themed event. We were overwhelmed by the reaction from the 6000 person crowd!! The 501st was represented by the NEG and CTG, and the Rebel Legion had members from the Alderaan and Kamino bases. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1219 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1219 Hasbro invited the NEG and Alderaan Base back to their offices for "Bring Your Child to Work Day" event. About 125 8-12 year olds come to Hasbro to tour the facilities as well as get their pictures taken with the Star Wars characters. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1217 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1217 The folks at Hasbro invited the NEG and Alderaan Base to make appearances for photo shoots during their Global Sales Meetings. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1216 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1216 The NEG was happy to participate in the newly located, Boston Comic Con this past weekend at the Westin Waterfront Hotel. Comic artists Jim Lee and Mike Mignolia were there along with sell out crowds for the entire weekend. The NEG was happy to collect donations for Make-A-Wish. Thanks go out to all who helped out! If you are looking for photos of you with the troopers and don't find them, check out the Portraits section of the gallery. Click photos at the top of the page, then go to the portraits link. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1211 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1211 For the third year in a row, the NEG was invited to the Fall Brook Family Fun Fair in Leominster, MA to entertain the kids. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1208 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1208 Vermont members of the NEG headed to the state capital of Montpelier for the city's fourth annual Geek Week, hosted each year by the Langdon Street Cafe. Three members, two Storm Troopers and Clone Trooper headed out to the cafe where they suited up and were given the role of Security team for the evening. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1209 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1209 2010 is shaping up to be quite the hockey filled year for the NEG! We attended our third hockey event of the year and our second trip to the Tsongas Arena. This time the event was held by the AHL Lowell Devils. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1203 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1203 The NEG was happy to be a part of a special day of celebration for a young fan at Worcester's Why Me House. Thank you to everyone who participated and allowed us to share in the day. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1202 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1202 Adidias released their new line of Star Wars themed clothing and shoes. The 501st was proud to get together members from the ECG, NEG, NER, and Carida to march through Times Square with Snoop Dogg http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1198 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1198 UMass Lowell invited the NEG and Alderaan Base back for a third year in a row for a Star Wars hockey night. UMass battled Boston College while we entertained fans young and old along the concourse and even out on the ice. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1197 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1197 The first event of 2010 was held with the AHL hockey, Worcester Sharks. Lord Vader dropped the ceremonial first puck and the New England Garrison and Alderaan Base greeted fans with Fins, the Shark's mascot. http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1193 http://www.501neg.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=1193