Tours of Duty

ComiCONN with Dirty Boy as Commander Gree

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 21:22:35 +0000

It was a cool event and proves chicks (even Newscasters) love a good "DIRTY BOY" lol

Somerset Patriots baseball game

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:26:07 +0000

Hey everybody,

Sorry I haven't been active on the boards in a while. I had to go away for my two week Army annual training. I just did a very cool troop for the somerset Patriot minor league baseball team in NJ and figured I would share. We participated in a fun skit before the game and escorted Vader out to the mound to throw the first pitch. Very cool! After that, we set up to take photos with the fans on the main concourse.
[IMG]http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x269/duke_57/e780c7fa.png[/IMG]

New Hasbro collection in Mexico City

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:50:52 +0000

Last Saturday Mexican Garrison had a trooping tour in 2 different routes to 6 different stores for the launching of the new Hasbro Star Wars Collection.

In my route we had Darth Vader, 1 TK and 3 TDs!!!
This was a lot of fun and a very cool troop for us. Its always lots of fun when there are several TDs together.

The troop was a bit different from what we are used to cause we had to meet at one point, put our armors on, troop around in a store, then take them off, step into a van (provided by Hasbro) and move on to the next place... and so on. 3 stores for each route, 6 stores total.

It was also covered by one of the biggest national radio Stations so every time they made a comment on the radio shows, we suddenly had more ppl at the store. Cool.

We also had the local sound in the stores announcing our presence, and for our surprise, they always referred to us as the Legion 501st!!! Contraryo what happens sometimes being referred to as the characters of Star Wars or similar. That was a great thing!!

Here are some pictures of my route. I am the one with the Black Pouldron:

Slaudos

Celebration V Group Pictures

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:13:47 +0000

Sorry for the delay in getting these posted. I found out when I got home that Comcast had shut my internet off instead of changing my speed package. Now I am finally up and running again and able to bring you all the pictures.

I want to thank everyone that followed my gf and I up to the 501st room to get these pictures taken. It was an awesome sight to behold with all these troopers actually on a set piece from Tatooine! Here's the link to my PB:
Sandtrooper Pictures

Videos from Last Tour to Endor

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:11:40 +0000

For those that missed it or want to see it again.

Raiders of the Lost "Jedi" Temple of Doom

Hoopla

Celebration V

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:24:30 +0000

Well one day under our belt and it was amazing!
I could not believe the line of people to get in and at the booths. Lines were forever and pictures were ongoing
the Belgian props were amazing! The 501st room was great as well with tatooine ever present
today is getting ready to start so check back later
Oh I have meet skutch so two of us are here for sure

Eddie, Ben and Xavier @ Legoland's Star Wars Weekend

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:21:29 +0000

Was lucky enough to troop with 2 of MEPDs finest Ben and Eddie last weekend.
All three of us were in armor for close to 11 hours which was a tad brutal.
Ben ended up doing the same troop the next day too boot.
Anyway here are some of Eddie's picture and a few of mine. Enjoy

[IMG]http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m191/coastercrackhead/40398_146188525399338_100000245737438_372053_5135502_n.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m191/coastercrackhead/40990_146188365399354_100000245737438_372047_7305430_n.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m191/coastercrackhead/40984_146188615399329_100000245737438_372056_7181563_n.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m191/coastercrackhead/40543_146188382066019_100000245737438_372048_4997315_n.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m191/coastercrackhead/40496_146188288732695_100000245737438_372044_1646848_n.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m191/coastercrackhead/40362_146188645399326_100000245737438_372057_7310096_n.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m191/coastercrackhead/39922_146188432066014_100000245737438_372050_5896437_n.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m191/coastercrackhead/39681_146188462066011_100000245737438_372051_4651580_n.jpg[/IMG]

Star Wars "Where Science Meets Imagination" Exhibit

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:48:48 +0000

Monday night I had the amazing opportunity to troop with about a dozen members of the 501st Alabama Garrison in Huntsville, Alabama. As many of you probably know, the NASA Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville has had the "Star Wars, Where Science Meets Imagination" exhibit this summer. Unlike all the trooping that has been done at the exhibit thus far, however, we got to go INTO the exhibit.

The reason for the change of policy was that we were there as part of a Make-A-Wish foundation wish granting. The incredible little boy we got to share this experience with reminded us all of the reason we love this hobby so much. It was a FANTASTIC troop.

As a bonus, we got to take pictures in front of a few of everyone's favorite movie props. Here are a few of me. Flash photography was restricted so the shots were not as great as they could have been. There are a couple that have great photoshop potential though.

[IMG]http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u99/Fetthunter/MAW%20wish%20granting%208-9-10/DSCF9134a-1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u99/Fetthunter/MAW%20wish%20granting%208-9-10/DSCF9151a.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u99/Fetthunter/MAW%20wish%20granting%208-9-10/voodoospeedersml.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u99/Fetthunter/MAW%20wish%20granting%208-9-10/DSCF9188a.jpg[/IMG]

Last Tour To Endor

Sat, 07 Aug 2010 02:14:50 +0000

If you're going DON'T miss this show....

http://starwars.com/video/view/001061.html

Trust me!

Weird Al in Florida

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 00:03:11 +0000

My first troop was last night on stage with Weird Al for "The Saga Begins". I'm the only sandy on the left side of the screen in front of the drums (holdin' it down for the dirties!). It was a really good time! I now realize that with all the shows I've done in my professional career I've never been asked to dance!!

Video quality's not too good but you get the idea.

Hot Chicks Love Armor :)

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:19:49 +0000

Star Wars In Concert Mohegan Sun....

Library Event

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:38:41 +0000

Here is a pic from a troop I just did in Caldwell NJ. Who says being a sandtrooper isn't like being a rockstar? Lol. It was a lot of fun!
The imperial officer in the pic held my DLT-19 while I signed autographs!

[IMG]http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x269/duke_57/1bbd6a5e.png[/IMG]

My picture in the Union Tribune for Comic-Con 2010

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:28:21 +0000

Just got a call an hour ago from the photographer that my photo will be on the cover of tomorrows section of "Night & Day" of our local newspaper, the Union Tribune.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/photos/galleries/2010/jul/21/comic-con-international/

Tk9122 soon to be TD 9122 will be going to celbration 5

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:05:39 +0000

guys i just got the news im getting a trip to celebration 5 im getting it as a 21st birthday present i hope to meet many of you there

SW in Concert: Raleigh, NC

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:27:52 +0000

Well Brothers, I finally trooped my first event in TD!!

Star Wars in Concert came to Raleigh, NC and had 2 shows - matinee & evening. I was the only TD for the first show. There were 2 of us for the second.

We were swamped by the public! Especially Chris Bartlett (TK-409) who wore his C-3PO. If you have never sent it, it is a show stopper!

I had previously modded my backpack straps (since being Deployed) and added velcro to the backplate & pack, so everything was lined up and correct height. Only 1 malfunction: I am using a snap to hold my shoulder ammo pouch on.... and it popped off twice. The action shots with the T-21 did it! I am going to come up with another way to attach it.

My take-homes from the event:
1) Girls love Sandtroopers (including LFL crew).
2) My shoulders (top and bottom) are really sore.
3) No one saw my pack (My back was to the wall the whole time. I did try to sneak in a few sideway poses with people just to give it some visibility!).

What sandies will be at Celebration V?

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:31:39 +0000

So what MEPD troopers can i expect to meet at CV? I will be there all week, and after alot of going back n fourth, i decided to bring my TK with me. I was going to bring the sandy, but the pack and big gun caused an issue with getting my gear there and back, the TK fits all in one tote, so im going that route. Hope to meet some of you guys there...ill be one of the 501st dorks with the name badge LOL just look for Lou Platania "Darth Voorhees"

if anyone wants to meet up, PM me and i can give you my Cell number and u can text me when your there. My hearing is kinda shot so talking on a cell phone doesnt work to well for me lol

EDIT: probably bringing the sandy....just without the pack

Star Wars Weekends

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:43:03 +0000

Hey,

Here is a short video of me doing a walk by the camera at the Star Wars weekends parade in June. It was nice and hot down there, but it was a blast!! I highly recommend it if you haven't marched it before!

SW in Concert Mexico City

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:01:46 +0000

June 12 and 13 was the turn of Mexico City to receive the grea Star Wars in Concert show.

The Mexican Garrison was invited by the SWIC production to attend the 4 concerts in full armor to welcome and spend time with the public. So we did.

In 4 flash troops we were there for about an hour and then jump into regular cloths and run to our seats over the auditorium to watch the show.

It was amazing... and I was lucky enough to be cleared by our Garrison Staff and SWIC to troop in 3 different concerts, what allowed me to watch it 3 times!!

Great experience for sure.
It was a very SW day. Probably the most official SW event ever held in Mexico.

Here are a few pictures...

Saludos

The Next Generation...

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:40:48 +0000

Heres a pic from a parade we did today....the kids loved us.

Im on the right....on the left is Neil who will be seeking deployment soon anfd then you have Boba Fett in the middle with Commander Cody

[IMG]http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/rickbates1/35692_405954436278_578836278_456310.jpg[/IMG]

Wandering Around Town

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 21:14:26 +0000

I promised Rolf a while back that I'd get out and take some pictures of me in armor around Albuquerque ��where I live ��because all of our buildings were made in the 1970's and look like something from Mos Eisley. Well, Skutch � TD-2243 � and I had a great time yesterday with my photographer friend Stephen Parks going in and around downtown Albuquerque taking some pictures.

I�ve told some of you before that I pretty much live in Mos Eisley� now you can see why I say that. The buildings here work perfectly for either Star Wars, or Planet of the Apes. haha

Here's a preview... and you can see all the pictures here on my website.

http://td8541.imperial-web.com/uploads/2010/06/09.jpg
Enjoy!

P.S. Feel free to post links to them on this thread if you want... I just thought posting a link to my site was the easiest to do.