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This is to explain why each of us are in this group and why we do what we do.

Damian (Webmaster) HAL9K1

I only have my own experiences and reasons I’m going to use myself as the example. 

Nobody asked that we do this it's just how we choose to serve the community.  

Why would I put this much time, money and energy into this?
Because I can. Basically all it takes is one child to smile at me and however hot, tired, long the trip to the event was, amount of money spent its all makes it worth it. Even if they don’t know why you are their or who you are dressed up as they know someone cares enough to take the time to go see them. That’s enough for me. Right now in my life I have the money and (almost enough) time to do this, something to help others and the community. This is probably the one thing in my life I'm most proud of.

Back in “77 my mother took me and my sister to Macys (in NYC) and we stood around by the escalator in the fine china department for over half an hour just standing. I wanted to leave not knowing why we were just hanging around. After the waiting we found out why we were just standing their.
Darth Vader showed up! Walked right though the china and crystal displays. I was awe struck! I never forgot how that made me feel. Forward to when I was about 30. I went to the local “Toys R us” to look for Star Wars toys. When I walked in I saw a Tie pilot, Sand Trooper, and Stormtrooper. Again, over 25 years later I was awe struck! I felt exactly like I did when I was 6 seeing Darth Vader. I had no clue about the Fan Force or the 501st till about 5 years later.

I still get all giddy seeing a sea of troopers, regardless if I know who is under the armor, or if I’m in armor myself. I still get that feeling I get that feeling I had back in ’77. My childhood was not very happy, but Star Wars made me happy... I want to share the joy it gave me with other people.
This also gives you a sense of accomplishment, selfless, and comradely that I've not felt doing anything else.

To answer the most common questions...

1st is "where do you buy those costumes?"

We make them.  Either from buying them in “kit” form or making them from scratch.

This process takes time, effort, research, money, thought, concern, communication, travel, commitment, and pride goes into making each and every costume. This stuff is built by hand with great care to detail over countless hours.

To find out info on making you own costume please see the “links” page for information on the 501st and Rebel Legion .

2nd is the cost….

…One (TB) Scout trooper armor:

Body armor $350
Glue strapping and assorted stuff to shape and make it fit (tools) + $250
Helmet + $275
Boots + $75 (hand made from parts)
Blaster +$125
Cummerbund, pouches, and vest + $125
Voice amp, padding, under suite, extra strapping, Velcro and glue, etc + $150

Total monetary cost: @ least $1,400

Time taken to make it wearable and research put into it well over 50 hours.

Total amount of time worn during the year under 10 hours.

This is not taking into account the travel time and gas to "troop" an even all over the state once the costume is complete and ready to wear.

This takes a lot of time and energy but the pay off is seeing a child smile when they see you.