Imperial forces from the 501^st Legion Dune Sea Garrison (DSG) descended on Phoenix Comicon (PCC) 2012 over Memorial Day Weekend.  Phoenix Comicon was held at the Phoenix Convention Center.

The DSG partnered with the Rebel Legion’s Mos Eisley Base, Mandalorian Mercs Shonare Vhekedla Clan, and the AZ R2 Builders to create the Star Wars Neighborhood to provide the convention goers with a Star Wars experience.  The Neighborhood provided fans an opportunity to get their picture taken with Star Wars characters in front of the Millenmium Falcon photo wall or see a life-sized moisture vaporator complete with Jawa and droid.

Photo by Mark Chu-Lin

Photo by Mark Chu-Lin

Helmets and costumes were on display so fans could see how these amazing characters come to life!  Each club was also featured with a booth to discuss the great charity events that they participate in, costume building, and the process to join each group.

Photo by Mark Chu-Lin

The DSG hosted several panels during the course of the convention.  The panels included Darth Maul Costuming, Costuming for a Cause, Meet the 501^st, and Star Wars Costuming for Women.  Panel guests were entertained by the banter of the panel hosts with many laughs for all.  All of the panels were well received by attendees.

Star Wars Costuming for Women Panel

The kids certainly were not forgotten.  The DSG provided training to become a stormtrooper through Imperial Cadet Training (ICT) on Saturday and Sunday.  ICT begins with kids practicing their NERF shooting skills at targets.  They then move to a NERF battle with veteran stormtroopers as they use walls for cover while advancing on the veteran’s position.  Each child is rewarded with a Certificate of Completion at the conclusion of their training session.

Imperial Cadet Training (ICT) Photo by Cardiac

The DSG advanced its core mission of support to charity causes during PCC.  A charity raffle was held at the DSG booth in the Star Wars Neighborhood to benefit Princess Leah and her family.  This beautiful little girl has struggled her entire short life of 18 months with a mysterious and at times debilitating illness.  To provide some relief to this family, the DSG raffled two completed fan made helmets, a sandtrooper and a TIE pilot; a dual 12-inch action figure pack of Darth Vader and Darth Maul, a 501^st action figure; and several smaller fan made props.  The raffle raised $1,014 and was promptly delivered to the family.

This is the heart of the 501^st Legion and the Dune Sea Garrison.  It drives many of our members to continue their costuming adventure.

The members of the Dune Sea Garrison would like to congratulate Victoria Rogers (DZ-3397) and Lisa Romero for earning the “Spotlighted Trooper” recognition!

(Victoria)      (Lisa)

Selected by the garrison for their hard work and dedication to our mission, these ladies covered the booth at Phoenix Comicon, and provided onsite support for a raffle held for a cause near and dear to our hearts – Baby Leah.  Their efforts helped raise over $1,000 for the family!

Victoria has been a member since August 2010 but active a few years prior as costume support for her husband and other members. Lisa may not be an official member of the Dune Sea Garrison (yet) but she has been very active with her husband since November 2009 as costume support and is also a member of the local Mandalorian Mercs – Shonare Vhekadla Clan.

Both of these ladies are valuable contributors to the Dune Sea Garrison and we are very fortunate to have them.

Ladies, we your fellow troopers, salute you!

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

The members of the Dune Sea Garrison would like to congratulate Michael Qoyawayma, TK-9729, for earning the “Spotlighted Trooper” recognition!

Voted on by the entire Garrison for his hard work and continued dedication to his fellow troopers, Michael (“Q” as he is called among his DSG friends) represented the DSG at San Diego Comic Con 2011 every day in his storm trooper kit. This young man wore his kit for over 12 hours and found time to volunteer for BioWare as well! Both the local garrison as well as BioWare employees found him to be an exceptional asset to the 501st presence at the convention. Michael showed true energy and dedication to the cause, all without a Redbull.

Just a few months shy of his one year anniversary, Michael has proven himself to be an integral part of this Garrison and we are fortunate to have him.

We, your fellow troopers salute you Michael!

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