By: Tristan Moriuchi (TK-9285)

This year the Dune Sea Garrison participated in Flagstaff’s annual Fourth of July Parade. This being the second year that the DSG has participated in the parade, Vader’s Fist showed up in full force and was even graced by the Sith Lord himself. With over 20 costumed individuals participating, this year’s numbers almost tripled! We also had some cool new equipment blasting Star Wars music as the Troops marched. Three troopers marched with the American flag throughout the parade, while other Troops adorned themselves with miniature flags and coiled garland. While unable to stop marching for pictures, many troopers enjoyed giving high fives, shaking hands, and saluting patriots.

A large number of Troopers even made the trek up from the Jundland Wastes Squad in Tucson to beat the heat and enjoy the fresh air up North! In addition to those road-trippers, there were several troopers from the Phoenix area, resulting in the largest showing of 501st members in Flagstaff yet! Local troops showed a huge amount of support by hosting visiting members in their homes as well as providing a great debrief BBQ after the march. This allowed the departing troopers to leave with full stomachs and fond memories to carry them home. Big thanks go out to all of the Troops that participated from all over the state; thanks to you this event was a terrific success.

With growing interest in the pines, it is the local group’s goal that events like this and the Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser will increase the member base, along with opening up further opportunities to troop in the cooler climate. Congratulations troopers on yet another successful event!

To see more about the parade, visit the AZ Daily Sun website!

By: Tristan Moriuchi (TK-9285)

On May 22nd around 2pm, the Dune Sea Garrison was able to visit Phoenix Children’s Hospital to greet patients and visitors. This is not the first time that troopers have stopped by bearing gifts and well wishes for the children. For years the DSG has had a terrific relationship with PCH allowing us to stop in, shake hands, take pictures, and interact with friends and family. Toy drives like the annual Toy Anxiety in December allow the garrison to not only lift spirits with our presence but also supplies us with predominantly Star Wars toys to hand out.This particular mission had troopers moving around the entire hospital. There was a strong toy and trooper presence maintained in the lobby throughout the afternoon. Darth Vader himself managed to make it to upstairs to a few patients and even over to the dialysis area. By the end of the day, troopers had seen several angles of the hospital. Special thanks go out to the troopers who took the time out of their regular work schedules to make this visit. Also, thank you to the Child Life Council specialists that make these important community outreach visits possible; we appreciate the time you allow us to spread some joy to more Star Wars fans’ lives.

The Garrison is looking forward to our next PCH visit in July, along with many more hospital visits to come across the state. Please check out our event calendar for all of our upcoming visits or fill out an event requestto let us know if we can help in your area!

By: Tristan Moriuchi (TK-9285)

This year at Phoenix Comicon, the Dune Sea Garrison once again invaded and prepared the future of the Empire by running younglings through Trooper Training Camp. As expected, soon-to-be Imperial Recruits performed above and beyond their trainers’ expectations by displaying proper weapons prowess, psychological integrity and physical durability. This year’s slogan, “Victory Starts Here,” held true as every squad completed their objective despite facing nearly impossible odds. With nearly 300 recruits pushed through and Imperial Certificates issued, the camp has been chalked up as a huge success. The future of the Empire is practically assured!

This year the course changed a bit and grew to better equip recruits for the daunting future ahead. Camp began with a weapons training course to get trainees familiar with their training blasters. Shots were fired at targets and training grenades prepped everyone for proper thermal detonators. After the instructors saw sufficient demonstration in small arms training, recruits were moved into “The Gauntlet” where they faced obstacles including: a maze to navigate, a garbage chute to search for the Death Star plans, followed by engaging in a live-fire exercise with armored members of the 501st Legion to get these plans back into Imperial hands.

Special thanks go out to the men and women of the Empire who served to make the outlying territories a better place to live by donating your time to prepare the younglings of the future. It is due to your efforts that these kids will survive their basic training in the upcoming years. Also, thank you to Phoenix Comicon and Joe Boudrie for allowing us the space and providing assitance to make this event a success two years in a row.

By: Steven Crouch (TB- 1181)

Dune Sea Garrison member, Will Rogers (TK-2855), was recently featured in the Northern Arizona University newsletter because of his stunning appearance on Halloween. Take a look and see what NAU has to say about this stellar Trooper!

Read the full article!

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.