The 501st Legion is a worldwide family of Star Wars costuming enthusiasts, who have movie-accurate costumes (all of which are scrutinized and have to be approved), and participate in fundraisers, parades, goodwill events and other activities. It’s a brotherhood, and a culture unlike any other. To give you a sense of what life is like as a member of this prestigious group, I’ve picked out some of the best pictures from the four years I’ve been a member.

An annual event I organize at VA hospitals, Trooping For The Troops is a way to thank veterans for their service and sacrifices

The 501st Legion is a big part of the annual Star Wars Weekends parades at Disney World's Hollywood Studios





I hold the banner for the beginning of The 501st Legion's section of the parade, Hollywood Studios, Disney World, duriung Star Wars Weekends

Marching in a parade at a Disney theme park is an experience unlike any other, one you will always remember


Darth Vader strides through the James A Haley VA hospital with R2-D2 during a Trooping For The Troops event

One thing 501st Legion members know how to do is have fun. Yeah...we've got that covered.



At an autism fundraiser in Orlando, Chester Cheetoh was there, which led to a humourous situation in the cast changing area...

Members take turn trying on the Chester Cheetoh head, resulting in instant hilarity





OK, I couldn't help posting this one. Good times...

A Trooping For The Troops event at the Bay Pines VA hospital; I have fun adding captions on pictures which I can share with other members

The 501st regularly participates in Star Wars In Concert events; this one was at the Tampa Bay Times Forum

Some members who want to have their picture taken with us like to be "under arrest"

The 501st Legion "invading" the Orange County History Center for Galactic Encounter Day

At Celebration V, a Star Wars convention in Orlando, Florida, members donated hand-customized Stormtrooper helmets which were auctioned off to raise money for charity




The 'droid builders room at Celebration V. Members of the Droid Builders club make movie-accurate, fully functional remote-control Star Wars robots

In the Millenium Falcon set replica, Celebration V, Orlando Florida



Members of The 501st Legion from around the world gather for a group picture, Celerbration V, Orlando Florida

Hamming it up with a Wampa arm, part of a Star Wars monster



The reaction of kids to our appearances never gets old. Ever.

The "invasion" of the Tampa Bay History Center

Weird Al Yankovic, a big fan of Star Wars and The 501st Legion, regularly asks members to be on stage during his Star Wars parody song The Saga Begins.

The 501st Legion float during the Pinellas Park holiday parade

Only part of the 501st Legion booth area at Megacon, Florida's largest comic book/costuming convention

Clowning around during the All Children's Expo, Tampa, Florida

The All Children's Expo, Tampa Florida



On national television during a football game at the Tampa Bay Times Forum during Star Wars Day. Organizing the Legion's participation in this event took two weeks of leg work, but was worth it.

Biker scouts, seen in the film Return Of the Jedi, gather in front of a recreation of a set from the film, Celerbration V, Orlando, Florida

The 501st Legion staging area, Disney's Hollywood Studios, in preparation for the parade through the park for Star Wars Weekends