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.

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

Members of the Dune Sea Garrison and the Jundland Wastes Squad visited TMC last weekend for A Father’s Day Read In for Literacy.

Visit http://tmcforchildren.com/2012/06/18/the-force-was-with-us-a-fathers-day-read-in-for-literacy/ to see first hand why we the members of the Dune Sea Garrison do what we do.

Look for members of the Dune Sea Garrison this weekend at the 4th Annual Tucson Comic Con!

10 months of planning, 2 + months of building/repair and 5 days of hard work and fun!!!

That is what the members of the 501^st Legion, Dune Sea Garrison; Rebel Legion, Mos Eisley Base; Mandalorian Mercs Shonare Vhekedla Clan (AZ Clan), R2 Builders of Arizona and the AZ Chapter fof the Republic Service Organization experienced at the recent 2011 Phoenix Comicon (PCC) held over Memorial Day weekend in downtown Phoenix AZ.

Over 23,000 PCC attendees were amazed when they approached the Star Wars Neighborhood in the exhibitor hall of the Phoenix Convention Center. The first thing they saw was the 24’ square pavilion with different colored sails representing each group. These sails were 20’ high in the air which allowed their groups logos to be displayed prominently for everyone to see! Each attendee could walk through the pavilion to see the various prop displays from all of the groups. Then they would exit the pavilion to see the Droid Play area … where R2 and R5 were running around getting their photos when the kids that couldn’t wait to touch them. Once they passed the Droid Play area – they could have their picture taken at one of the three walls – Bespin walls with Han in Carbonite, Mandalorian bunker or the Death Star Walls.

Some interesting news articles highlighting PCC2011

http://www.angrykoalagear.com/2011/05/phoenix-comicon-star-wars-costume.html
http://www.ifpphx.org/video/phoenix-comicon-2011-star
http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/central_phoenix/oddity-was-a-commodity-at-phoenix-comicon
http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/events/articles/2011/05/23/20110523comicon-phoenix-convention-center.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q9ac73a_fc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHeiq2LYhJk&feature=related
http://www.flesheatingzipper.com/events/phxcc11
http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/central_phoenix/comicon-wraps-up-successful-weekend-in-valley