Jump to content

(11) TK 72313's Troop Log!


Recommended Posts

#1  9/30/17 - Star Wars Night at the Miami Marlins game.

 

This was the moment we were working towards when we started our builds and we made it! We got our official approval 3 days before the event, and off we went!

 

To say we had a blast was an understatement! While my son couldn't troop due to this being an official LFL event, he still attended and did an amazing job as a handler (looking forward to his first official troop alongside of us next month).  With the adrenaline pumping, I don't think my brother and I could volunteer to go out over the course of the evening fast enough. We'd come back in, hydrate and then head right back out over the 4 hours.

 

Here we are with our first actual troop moment as we welcome fans at one of the gates.  It was outside in the heat, but we survived the 30-40 minute post with flying colors!

5rLNRPG.jpg

 

After we came back, we got all of the TK's together and posed with our boss. My brother is to Vader's right and I'm peeking over Vader's right shoulder from the second row.

QfYGv47.jpg

 

Here I am, second from the left, with my comrades guarding the first base line before the ceremonial first pitch...

oy4IqGW.jpg

 

On our way to a fan meet and greet, we all immediately noticed the industrial backdrop provided by the freight elevator and had to strike a pose.  I'm on the far right and my brother is second from left.

H7XcEhj.jpg

 

Here we are guarding home plate.  I'm all the way at the top of the circle and my brother is third from left (amazed how I can tell us apart, huh? LOL)

uCKlVEW.jpg

 

Finally, some of the group shots.  We had an awesome turnout of around 30+ legion members and can't wait for next year!

xzOKcC7.jpg

DUlzTg2.jpg

Edited by FencingCorvetteTrooper
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

#2  11/5/17 - New World Symphony Concert for Kids - A Star Wars Spectacular

 

This was another great troop as not only did my son get to participate in his TK for the first time, but I pulled double duty as both a TK and later as my bounty hunter alter ego Greedo!  It was a definite learning experience with Greedo as the ventilation system that worked during the trial runs, didn't seem to cut the mustard during the actual troop.  I hung in there like a champ though, and managed to put plenty of smiles on people's faces along with my fellow Legion comrades.  And the concert itself was amazing as the orchestra played music from all the Star Wars movies.

 

My lovely wife pulling handler duties for the first time.  She and my daughter did an amazing job handling for 9 of us and it all went off without a hitch!  She got quite the stares walking to the performing arts center with those DLT's in tow!

NNuNLZK.jpg

 

The three of us suited up and ready to go!

NmaijiC.jpg

 

The entire squad in the photo room ready to meet and mingle with the crowds.

NQQyNBy.jpg

 

After the morning show started, we took a stroll along historic Lincoln Road on South Beach and had a blast just watching everyone stare and take pictures as we hung out.  Many weren't sure if they could come up to us, and often times asked if they could take a picture with us, to which we gladly obliged.  Here's my daughter with her brother and my brother.  I'm in the background telling my fellow TK RagTooth to hurry up and get those pizzas delivered in 30 minutes or less otherwise Vader would have our butts!

IJ6eSv0.jpg

 

My son guarding the art store while Vader went shopping inside...

s9eNY0Z.jpg

 

Is this the droid we're looking for??

QAW8TWL.jpg

 

A little mid-troop bucket display as we were treated to lunch.

fOdz7QJ.jpg

 

Then it was on to the afternoon show.  This time, I shed the TK and donned the Greedo.  Please don't judge me LOL....

DzI9N4L.jpg

24J3ohQ.jpg

 

Our boss Vader doing his thing and claiming all of Miami Beach for himself!

Jqm3Sp3.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by FencingCorvetteTrooper
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
On 11/5/2017 at 7:55 PM, FencingCorvetteTrooper said:

11/5/17 - New World Symphony Concert for Kids - A Star Wars Spectacular

 

This was another great troop as not only did my son get to participate in his TK for the first time, but I pulled double duty as both a TK and later as my bounty hunter alter ego Greedo!  It was a definite learning experience with Greedo as the ventilation system that worked during the trial runs, didn't seem to cut the mustard during the actual troop.  I hung in there like a champ though, and managed to put plenty of smiles on people's faces along with my fellow Legion comrades.  And the concert itself was amazing as the orchestra played music from all the Star Wars movies.

 

My lovely wife pulling handler duties for the first time.  She and my daughter did an amazing job handling for 9 of us and it all went off without a hitch!  She got quite the stares walking to the performing arts center with those DLT's in tow!

NNuNLZK.jpg

 

The three of us suited up and ready to go!

NmaijiC.jpg

 

The entire squad in the photo room ready to meet and mingle with the crowds.

NQQyNBy.jpg

 

After the morning show started, we took a stroll along historic Lincoln Road on South Beach and had a blast just watching everyone stare and take pictures as we hung out.  Many weren't sure if they could come up to us, and often times asked if they could take a picture with us, to which we gladly obliged.  Here's my daughter with her brother and my brother.  I'm in the background telling my fellow TK RagTooth to hurry up and get those pizzas delivered in 30 minutes or less otherwise Vader would have our butts!

IJ6eSv0.jpg

 

My son guarding the art store while Vader went shopping inside...

s9eNY0Z.jpg

 

Is this the droid we're looking for??

QAW8TWL.jpg

 

A little mid-troop bucket display as we were treated to lunch.

fOdz7QJ.jpg

 

Then it was on to the afternoon show.  This time, I shed the TK and donned the Greedo.  Please don't judge me LOL....

DzI9N4L.jpg

24J3ohQ.jpg

 

Our boss Vader doing his thing and claiming all of Miami Beach for himself!

Jqm3Sp3.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Where did you get the handler shirts?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/2/2017 at 12:05 PM, Justin96039 said:

Where did you get the handler shirts?

 

Picked those up at TrooperBay!  I had to ask if they had pink as it wasn't an offered color, and they did a special order for me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/2/2017 at 1:39 PM, jethroskull said:

Everything about these pics is awesome! The blaster selfie-stick is the coolest, though.

 

Thanks! I need to do more of the GoPro DLT-19 shots though.  Just hard to remember with all the excitement and activity going on! LOL  Got the idea from our squad leader, who has been doing it for a little while.

 

Can't believe I hadn't posted this one though.  Probably the best pic of them all from the troop!

PDMdrDL.jpg

Edited by FencingCorvetteTrooper
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

#3  12/14/17 - The Last Jedi Premiere

 

The Florida Garrison's Everglades Squad was all over South Florida from Thursday to Sunday night for The Last Jedi screenings and it was a blast!  For this troop, my son, my brother and I were joined by one of our fellow TK's in his first official troop!  My lovely wife assisted as a handler and made sure order reigned in the universe.  While it was a smaller theater, there was still some fun to be had followed by catching the late showing of the movie once all the trooping activity was over.  We are actually signed up to do another movie night on 12/21, but this time in downtown Ft. Lauderdale at the huge IMAX theater connected to the Museum of Science.  While my brother and son will be donning the white armor again, I'll be in my Greedo costume accompanying a fellow bounty hunter in her new Boushh costume.  Looking forward to catching it again on the REALLY BIG screen!

 

Nothing cooler than gearing up inside the projection room!

CN2fSnd.jpg

 

Trying to get my ticket, but they were sold out!

WqKl1uR.jpg

 

Guarding the entrance and ready to check tickets.

tEvoRN7.jpg

 

One of the employees actually purchased a commissioned RS Props ESB TK and showed up to work, ready to go! He's looking to get into the 501st, so we filled him in on all he needed to know and hope to see him officially join the ranks soon!

SfnKL2s.jpg

 

 

 

Edited by FencingCorvetteTrooper
Link to comment
Share on other sites

#4  11/15/17 - Company Holiday Party

 

While not an "official" troop, it was a troop nonetheless and the second of three we would do across 4 days!  A work colleague was in charge of planning the department's holiday party and he decided to incorporate a Star Wars theme into the event.  Knowing I was in the 501st, he asked if I could make an appearance as part of escorting a surprise guest (our CIO's wife) into the party.  Since TK's look better in groups, I got my son to join me and it went off without a hitch.  The funniest part was staying in character all night and refusing to turn around or acknowledge anyone when they called my name (by the end of the night, looks like all 150 of my co-workers now know about my love for Star Wars!).

 

In the conference room getting ready...

68bWCvW.jpg

 

 

With our Master of Ceremonies...

W9l7gAC.jpg

Edited by FencingCorvetteTrooper
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

#5  11/17/17 - Love Jen Holiday Party in support of children and families battling with cancer.

 

Every year, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center hosts a huge holiday party for those families that have been receiving treatment as a way to take their minds off of the struggle for a little while and celebrate their victories in the war against cancer.  It was an awesome time as we were able to see everyone's faces just light up, and the excitement in their eyes.  My brother and my son joined me again in our TK gear.  As a father, there were moments where I just stopped and gave thanks for my family and prayed for all of those kids there and that they'd succeed in overcoming this disease.  There were definitely tears flowing under my helmet today, but grateful that I, along with my fellow squad members, could bring smiles to so many.

 

Found a lone Rebel fighter as we traversed the party space...

B8Qxjg6.jpg

 

TK's and Shoretroopers can dance - in fact, they can lead a pretty mean conga line!

7m21WmR.jpg

 

Fire Team Alpha asks - have you been naughty or nice this year?

vxZI9k1.jpg

 

There was no escape for our poor little Rebel fighter...

assiGz6.jpg

 

Happy Holidays from the Everglades Squad!

FmENV1N.jpg

Edited by FencingCorvetteTrooper
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

#6  1/13/18 - Paradise City Comic Con (Miami)

 

While not as big as the July Supercon or MegaCon in Orlando, this was a nice introduction to trooping a con.  We had a complete blast!  In the morning shift, we donned our TK's and made a strong presence at the booth.  For the late afternoon, my son took on my Greedo persona (and did the character proud!) while I debuted my Tusken Raider (that was a whole 'nother level of fun, especially with the sound glove).

 

The amazing thing though was that suddenly we were the celebrities - as many of the TV/Movie starts in attendance wanted to take their pictures with us!  Here are a few shots from the day.

 

Ready for a full day of trooping and costume changes!

uyg7Tdl.jpg

 

Prepping our booths

UW0NRkQ.jpg

 

Ready to serve the empire with my son and brother!

ajiUhHM.jpg

 

My son and I posing with Wyatt Oleff from Stephen King's IT and Guardians of the Galaxy

rGmsn5R.jpg

 

With Michael Nathanson from Netflix's The Punisher.  He came by the booth on the second day and hung out with us (really big Star Wars fan and great guy!)

EsSrY8R.jpg

 

My son as Greedo with comedienne Lisa Corrao

EAgoHoh.jpg

 

Jeremy Ray Taylor from Stephen King's IT posing with me in my Tusken.  He ran up to me with such excitement and eagerness to take a picture!

UrGXh8s.jpg

 

Shenanigans by the entrance towards the end of the day....

IejT1Lh.jpg

 

Finally, a few pictures of my brother and a couple of squad mates that I took on Sunday when I was working the booth.  These came out too nice not to share.

vmj6IC6.jpg

 

rQbESo3.jpg

 

3LdRj4C.jpg

Edited by FencingCorvetteTrooper
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awesome. What a great troop log! :-)

It’s so nice that you have 3 troopers wherever you go. Seeing one is ‘nice’, but seeing multiple is something else!

Great job, guys. :-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks and agreed!  At the con, my brother was swarmed by a group of 6-7 girls and their parents that were excited to get their picture taken with a stormtrooper.  They didn't see my son and I come around the corner until we were standing behind them.  One of them turned around and suddenly screamed - "Oh my gosh, there's three of them now!!!".  The wow factor suddenly increased three-fold for those fans!  All I could do was smile and laugh uncontrollably under my bucket.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Lucky #7  3/10/18 - St. Patrick's Day Parade (Ft. Lauderdale)

 

This is a popular parade event for our squad and we had a great turnout of TK's.  It was my first parade, so I was psyched!  While the temptation to wear my Greedo was there given he's green, I had to do my first parade as a TK.  But of course, we were in slightly more appropriate attire...

 

I must admit, I could get used to wearing my TK this way :laugh1:

YKOnC9I.jpg

 

A quick DLT selfie of a few of us before heading down to the staging area (and yes, we had Empire playing on the TV in one of the changing areas)...

ZQMaGHO.jpg

 

Trying to herd all of the TK's together for a group picture in the staging area is tough when spectators and other parade participants are constantly coming up for photo ops (Kylo was doing his best to round us up).  One of these TK's is not like the others...

2C3cUvz.jpg

 

In the meantime, Boba managed to snag a couple of Rebels...

yI6SbvH.jpg

 

Darth leading the way...

bklWL57.jpg

 

We had so much fun breaking ranks to go high five and fist bump kids and adults and then race back into formation.  Hearing the cheers of the crowds was really awesome.  I even had one woman grab me after she motioned me over, and instead of a selfie, she planted a huge kiss on the side of my helmet!!  Definitely an unexpected moment.

omrDW8I.jpg

 

Missing about a third of the group, but we managed to sneak in as many as we could for a group shot after we finished the parade route.

ERAqBoB.jpg

Edited by FencingCorvetteTrooper
  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 hours ago, Vader2015 said:

Yea was a good troop Deffinately going again next year

 

You gotta have frozen Han ready so we can push him down the parade route.  I'll definitely break out Greedo to be part of that!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...

#8  4/28/18 - Salah Foundation Children's Hospital (Ft. Lauderdale)

 

While my second hospital troop, this was my first doing it as a TK.  As always, it was a rewarding experience bringing smiles to those who needed them!

 

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we were handler-less for this troop, so everyone pitched in to help each other out.  Besides, when Vader calls for help with his cape, obedient TK's rush in to assist!

 

l5LT7gE.jpg

 

My son trooped with us as well, but in his Scan Crew costume in order to help with handling, pictures, etc.  Somehow, he looks to have had another growth spurt, so me thinks it's time to check his TK armor and make sure we don't need some adjustments!

ifQDtWv.jpg

 

The staff are always excited to see us as well!

HeeT3YF.jpg

 

One of the many patients we helped to have a brighter day!

x3GcU2c.jpg

 

And of course, it wouldn't be a troop without some shenanigans.  Here, much like my Rodian alter ego Greedo a couple of months ago (see last picture), TK-72313 didn't heed the warnings about the wet floor signs around the hospital. Even with Vader pointing out the sign and a fellow TK yelling at him, it just wasn't enough to avoid the inevitable.  Now to see if this picture makes it all the way to the Legion social media pages like Greedo did :laugh1:.

XE4xBwm.jpg

x1hzYnW.jpg

 

TK-72313 signing out until the next troop!

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Awesome Troop, stellar photos, mint write up, and right in the feels - beautiful work Trooper and thank you very kindly for sharing this report!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

#9  7/14/18 - Florida Supercon (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

 

This was a big troop as I worked 3 of the 4 days and cycled through 7 costumes, which included a new one approved by our GML onsite (Bith)!  While I proudly sported my FISD Racing Shirt as I handled and worked the booth, it wasn't until the end of my last day that I suited up in the white plastic.  But this wouldn't be any ordinary troop. - I, along with my son, my brother and a fellow squad mate, got to participate in the pro wrestling show at the Con!  The promotion (which showcases pro wresting but with every wrestler in a cosplay character), wanted something to liven up the match between Kylo Ren and Rey, so they asked us to help them out.

 

It was a great experience, especially being backstage and mingling with many of the wrestlers we had been seeing for years on the local indie circuits.  At times, they were more starstruck with us than we were with them! LOL

 

We walked through the match and what they needed us to do, and it all went off without a hitch.  I even got to carry Kylo's light saber (the "foreign object") to the ring and hand it to him during the match.  Definitely a memorable experience and hope to be able to participate again next year!

 

After coming out behind Kylo and protecting the ring entrance, Kylo proceeds to antagonize the audience.

Kw51sU5.jpg 

 

Doing our best to be as menacing as possible (from L to R - my brother, me, my son and one of our squad mates)

nf6xxqM.jpg

 

Rey was starting to get the upper hand, so we started to slowly move forward, until Kylo called us off and told us to leave as he would have the situation under control.

2P5Pwzl.jpg

 

Walking the light saber up and handing it to Kylo...

 

VEviM4L.jpg

bty1Lta.jpg

 

Finally, a couple of great backstage shots after the match...

0PCsnFp.jpg

GCi2dIs.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...