The Arizona chapter of the 501^st Legion is going to have a very busy May 4^th this year.  Due to a rarely seen calendar alignment, this year’s Star Wars day is also Free Comic Book day.  The Dune Sea Garrison will be sending out several troopers to provide cover at 4 separate Comic book and retail book stores all over the state; Phoenix, Glendale, Tuscon, and Flagstaff. (see calendar of events for locations and times) In addition to these events, members will also be volunteering to appear at the Apache Junction Library for their crafting and reading day.  There are also two very special events planned .  In Tuscon, at the Hotel Congress will be a huge Star Wars party. The other ‘not to be missed’ event is the visit from Tom Hodges, an amazing artist with a huge spot in his heart for Star Wars.  He’ll be at the Dr. Fantasy’s Comic Books ‘N More in Glendale being heavily guarded by an Imperial Garrison, you can bet.

Feb 18th / 23rd, 2013
The Dune Sea Garrison was proud to provide some Imperial escorts recently. TK members Michael Qoyawayma “Q”, and Keith Grigg were on hand to support the announcement of the new toy line release for Dagedar Star Wars, being exclusively test marketed in Arizona. On a whirlwind tour of 8 radio stations, one TV station, and two retail stores the Dagedar team, sponsored by Cepia LLC, was able to really ‘get the word out’. In addition to this 8 hour day (in armor) our troopers got back with the promotion team on Saturday the 23rd to further help promote the new toys. At the 2013 Scout-A-Rama, a statewide BSA festival, Keith and Q were joined by Isaac Irvine as the 3 TKs brought much appreciated attention to the Dagedar Toy display tent. Working side by side with Radio Disney Phoenix the Scout-A-Rama troop was a huge success. So much so that the Cepia wrote a donation check to Kids Need to Read for $1000 in the Dune Sea’s name.

A group of costumers were given the chance to deliver a very special message to a wheelchair bound young man recently.  At the request of Make-A-Wish Arizona, the Dune Sea Garrison’s Jundland Wastes Squad sent some of their finest to Jacob’s home in Tuscon, Az to escort the Make-A-Wish team and inform him of his wish coming true.  Jacob’s wish was to be able to attend Star Wars Celebration Europe this summer in Germany.   And now, thanks to Make-A-Wish Arizona, that dream will come true.  Seven white armored troopers and a Clone Wars Mandalorian  were on hand to help deliver the gift, but it was apparent that Jacob’s favorite was the 9^th trooper, the Tusken Raider.  ”Congratulations, Jacob.  You’re in for the time of your life.”

Photo courtesy of Mike Alvear

Photo by Jennifer LaFortune

The Dune Sea Garrison had the joy of spending the day supporting one of the best authors in the Star Wars Universe on January 13, 2012.  Timothy Zahn was in town for the signing event of his 9th Star Wars Novel, ‘Scoundrels’.  He was accompanied by a full security detail of two Stormtroopers, a Tie Pilot, an Imperial Gunner, Cad Bane and by special invite, that rebellious droid, R2-D2.
It was a real thrill for our legion members to be able to meet and support such a wonderful author, and hear his tales of working with our favorite characters for all these years.  It was also quite comical for Mr. Zahn to say that he actually tried to name this book ‘Solo’s Eleven’, due to the main story being about a major heist involving multiple players with varied skills.  But, it was decided that it would not be worth the legal battle with the popular movies of a similar name.
See full press of the event here…http://www.changinghands.com/event/zahn-jan13

Photo by Rob Kashikoi

The Dune Sea Garrison would like to congratulate our very own “Imperial Walker” Aaron Valencia, TD-22766, for earning the “Spotlighted Trooper” recognition!

Aaron has only been a member since September 2012, but he jumped right into trooping by putting one foot in front of the other.  He began by trooping in the 2012 Walk to Defeat ALS towards the end of October.  The following weekend he participated in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks.  Aaron then trooped the MS Walk at the beginning of November.  He rounded out his trek with the Light the Night walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Aaron’s trooping of four walks in a month’s time helped to raise $2,193,311 in charity fundraising.  The 501^st Legion helped to raise over $14 million dollars for charity in 2012.

Congratulations on a job well done.  Your fellow troopers salute you Aaron!