By: Mark Teifert (TK- 8748)

We, The 501st Dune Sea Garrison, participated in the MS Walk once again this year to resounding success. Our garrison raised over $2700 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society through direct contributions from our workplaces, friends, and families allowing us to march to the finish line with pride in our accomplishment. This was the eighth year in a row that the Dune Sea Garrison participated in this event. We were greeted by an amazing group of event staff and made to feel like celebrities. We also were given the privilege of walking with two other amazing costuming groups the Rebel Legion (our sister organization) and the Arizona Gostbusters.

Both teams did an outstanding job of raising funds to help fight multiple sclerosis and work towards a cure. We felt exhilarated to be able to work with these great people.The walk itself was shortened this year to 5 miles through the beautiful Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden. There were dozens of teams and thousands of people participating and the walk was a resounding success. There were manned tables set up for food and water along the route to keep all those people going. The start/finish line was complete with a band, booths from local restaurants, and some press to help spread the word across the globe that we and many others will continue to work for the day that multiple sclerosis will be wiped off our planet and the galaxy beyond.

By: Dustin Dial (TK-5647)

On March 16, 2008, the newly-formed Jundland Wastes Squad of the Dune Sea Garrison marched in Tucson’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade! This was the first year the Dune Sea Garrison entered the parade and the first large event for the Jundland Wastes Squad since its formation on January 14th 2008. The Jundland Wastes Squad marched the 3 mile route with Stormtroopers escorting Lord Vader, backed up by a Clone Trooper, Jango Fett, Darth Nihilus, and even Jedi Masters. The event attracted more than 10,000 people and the JWS proved very popular as we were greeted with cheers, waves, and endless pictures!

Click to look at more pictures from the parade.

By: Dustin Dial (TK-5647)

On December 8th, 2007 the newly formed Jundland Wastes Squad (JWS) teamed with the Tucson Fan Force to participate in the 13th Annual Downtown Tucson Parade of Lights. The 2.5 mile route circles historic downtown Tucson and attracted 24,000 spectators. The DSG/JWS and the TFF walked the route with sabers blazing and proudly displaying the 501st banner among festive holiday floats, bands, and motorcades.

This year the Jundland Wastes Squad’s entry won the Old Pueblo Award for “Best Non-Profit Entry”, much to the surprise of the squad and the Dune Sea Garrison. The team was greeted with cheers and the load roar of applause during the parade route which was near deafening when the winning announcement was made. The entry consisted of a 501st Clone Trooper, Shock Trooper, Stormtroopers, Darth Vader, Scout Trooper, Jedi, and Sith.This event is the first of many for this newly-formed and energetic squad of troopers located in the Tucson, Arizona area.