from the Legion 501stCast Episode 44 Now Playing In the latest episode of the official 501st podcast, get the inside scoop on 501st happenings at San Diego Comic Con , rumors of the 501st in the Star Wars live action TV series, a new Vader anthem from the Nordic Garrison , and Mr. Sulu at the... LEGO Star Wars Visual Dictionary This October will see the release of DK Publishing 's LEGO Star Wars : The Visual Dictionary, and big plans are already in the works to launch this 96-page hardcover in style with the help of the Fighting 501st Legion. The Empire's baddest do-gooders... 501stCast Episode 43 Now Playing In this disappointingly late episode of the official 501st podcast, we visit Star Wars Weekends from inside the bucket, chat with skin art enthusiast Shane Turgeon , and get 8 tips from the Legion Founder to help avoid “501st Burnout.” All this... 501stCast Episode 42 Now Playing In this episode of the official 501st podcast, the March on the Mouse begins at Star Wars Weekends , the real Captain Typho enlists in the Legion, an Aaron Allston fundraiser kicks off and we interview the makers of Makazie One , a new fan film. All... In Memory of Marta Piekarz (ID-4669) The Legion is saddened to report the loss of Marta Piekarz ( ID-4669 ) of the 501st Polish Garrison . Prior to complications from a heart condition and coma, the youthful Marta studied chemistry at Wroclaw University and costumed as Imperial... Meet TK Typho Although he's been a Honorary Member of the 501st since October 2005, Star Wars actor Jay Laga'aia (Captain Typho) always had full intentions of becoming an armor-wearing member of the 501st. On May 14th, Jay realized his dream and was approved as... Empire Expands in Australia and China Although the 501st already has both Australian and Chinese members within the Terror Australis Garrison , Taiwan Formosa Outpost and Hong Kong Shadow Outpost , there is always room for more growth. In the Land Down Under, the Knightfall Squad was... 501stCast Episode 41 Now Playing In this episode of the official 501st podcast, we overload on Free Comic Book Day , the Legion celebrates Star Wars Day, and the Golden Gate Garrison goes viral...and not in a swine flu kind of way. All this plus too many mission reports, upcoming... 501stCast Episode 40 Now Playing Chris Martin (TD-9993) joins the cast as we provide updates on 501st Honorary Members , kidney transplants and a Legionwide Charity Challenge. All this plus mission reports, the 501st Geo Quiz, another giveaway and a dose of the swine flu. Click here... Star Wars Weekends Return This Summer It's official. Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios will be back in 2009 and the 501st is already hard at work planning to march in the always-popular motorcade each weekend from May 22 to June 14. Fans can look forward to meet-and-greets...

from the MWG July 2, 2009 MWG Quilt Auction, WWC During Chicago Comic Con (fka Wizard World Chicago) 2009, the Midwest Garrison will be auctioning a quilt for charity. In their support of the mission of KM4Katie (http://www.km4kt.com ) who are raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and to raise awareness of the organization and all of the fantastic work they do to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions and provide them with hope, strength, and joy. Most of the Km4KT fundraisers involve people running in events to raise money for Make-A-Wish, but in an effort to reach out, the Midwest Garrison will be presenting this quilt for auction. It will be on display at the Midwest Garrison�s booth at Wizard World/Chicago Comic Con this year (2009), but the actual auction method has not yet been determined. The quilt is approximately 45� wide by 54� tall. The quilt is boxed in an archival quality, dye/acid free box, wrapped in tissue paper. The quilt was made by Jennifer Loomis and Anthony Day, members of the Midwest Garrison. Quilt in box May 4, 2009 501st Announces First Ever Trooper of the Year From the Commander I would like to announce the winner of the first ever Trooper of the Year award, bestowed this Legion Day and hopefully every Legion Day to follow: TK0523 Barry Benecke II of the Midwest Garrison and TK4619 Eric Seemann of the Empire City Garrison Barry and Eric distinguished themselves this year by taking risks and sacrificing the time, energy, money, effort, and their own bodies to help save the lives of fellow Star Wars fans who were both in dire need of a kidney transplant. Both of these valiant and humble troopers made the decision to offer a kidney to someone who's life utterly depended on it, and in doing so ensured that they would live long lives and continue to be there for their loved ones. In Eric's case, his kidney went to a fellow Legion member Jeff Romanoff TK0076, former CO and one of the founding members of Garrison Carida - a man whose story of struggle with cancer and kidney failure have been well known in the Legion. Barry and Eric exemplify the highest traits of giving, service, and personal sacrifice that the Legion aspires to. We create this award and honor them with it to recognize just how much higher our apirations have become thanks to troopers such as they. We give this award with no less than the highest regard and respect, and salute them as heroes in their own right. Join me in congratulating these two men, Troopers of the Year for 2008. Albin, LCO May 1, 2009 Happy 501st Day... So why is today 501st day...It's May first or 5/01. Here are some ways you can show your 501st Day Spirit: 1. If you are a Clone, twitter 501 of your closest mates 2. If you are a Sith, consider the 501 things you hate the most 3. If you are a Jedi imagine 501 of your closest allies all simultaneously leveling their weapon on you after receiving a twitter April 22, 2009 Get Well Soon... The Midwest Garrison wishes our good friend Aaron Allston a speedy recovery. March 26, 2009 MWG and The Fate of the Jedi... By Phyllis Schulte Star Wars fans are the greatest... Star Wars costumers are the greatest.. and... I can add -without a doubt... Star Wars authors are the greatest. They never disappoint.. The next chapter in the extraordinary history of the Star Wars galaxy begins here... Aaron Allston is the New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Legacy of the Force: Exile; two Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Enemy Lines novels: Rebel Dream and Rebel Stand; novels in the popular Star Wars X-Wing series. Members of the Midwest Garrsion of the 501st, the Midwest Base of the Rebel Legion, R2 Builders, Chicago Force Book Club and the Indy Knights from Indianapolis all joined forces to welcome Aaron Allston to the Chicago area to launch the new series of books "Fate of the Jedi" with the first book being Aaron's "Outcast". Many members arrived early and amused themselves till it was time to suit up. Mr. Allston was at the Borders in Oakbrook early to do some interviews and a Pod cast. He was also on hand in the back room to sign our member's books. Just before the event started, Mr. Allston was gracious and took many group photos for us and all of the fans that gathered at the store. At 7:30 PM our troops escorted Mr. Allston to the signing area and rather than do a reading from the book he told some great stories of his life in the "Star Wars" galaxy. Q & A followed as members of the gallery asked some really great questions. It was obvious that Mr. Allston posesses great humor and passion for his characters as he answered all of the questions. He added that this series of books will be on the lighter side but filled with the adventures that we have all come to know and love. Aaron Allston signs R2-S5's dome After the Q & A portion, it was time to sign books! I stood off to the side during much of the signing. Mr. Allston answered a lot more questions from all that came to have their books signed and was just about the easiest going person you would ever want to meet.[/i] March 19, 2009 And the winner is... Congratualtions to our 2009 Garrison Staff!!! Commanding Officer: Aimee Jorgensen (TB-101) Wisconsin Squad Leader: Trent Thorton (SL-585) Garrison Executive Officer: Wally Contreras (TI-7242) Garrison Public Relations Officer: Chip Childress (SL-9965) Garrison Membership Liaison: Damian Jorgensen (TS-826) Garrison Webmaster: Ed Silva (TK-4544) Garrison Web Liaison: Eric Scheueman (TK-1819) Garrison Charity Representative: Geoff Pfeiffer (TK-4813) Best wishes to the new staff! February 15, 2009 Election Season Is Not Over Yet! While the rest of the United States watches the last of the confetti settling after the presidential election, members of the 501 Legion are still in the middle of the election season. Internationally, 501st members are learning about the candidates running for Legion Commanding Officer. There are 3 candidates which include Albin Johnson TK210, Leanne Mallory SL1249, and Brian Smith IC1859. Here in the Midwest Garrison, we too have 3 candidates. Members of the MWG will have to choose from among the following nominees for MWG Commanding Officer: Aimee Jorgensen TB101, Mike Plesha SL356, and Walfrido Contrera TI7242. Voting for both Legion and Garrison will begin on February 19th and run until 11:59 pm on February 25th. Congratulations to Trent Thornton SL585 on his new position of WI Squad Leader. Wisconsin Squad had 2 nominations however Jerry Treiber DZ5591 declined. Wisconsin Squad will have an experienced member overseeing their squad. Thornton is an active member and very enthusiastic about his Star Wars costuming. October 2, 2008 One of the Empire's Finest ~ Phyllis Schulte For anyone who has had the pleasure of trooping with TK 1951, you know what an awesome woman she is! However as the years go by, she surpasses her own generousity and continues to leave the rest of us wondering how she does it. On August 8th, Schulte organized the MWG's appearance at Camp Quality held in Frankfort, IL. This organization gives those children who are battling cancer a chance to be kids who are just having fun. With the help of fellow Legion members and Hasbro/Milton Bradley, toys were donated so each child would have something to take home. Members of the MWG and Bloodfin Garrison organized a charity raffle at a local restaurant to raise money to purchase gift cards for the older kids (over $800 was raised to purchase the gift cards!!) Take a moment and read the mission report for Camp Quality. Here one will read of the unselfish nature of volunteers who came together from all walks of life for one purpose - to put a smile on a child's face. Many thanks to all those who donated toys and time to make this happen! It is no surprise that Phyllis Schulte is August Legion Trooper of the Month as well as MWG Trooper of the Month. She is a wonderful example of what the Legion is all about!! June 5, 2008 April Trooper of the Month Congratulations to Jim 'marstoq' DeJan TI3853 for April Trooper of the Month. 2008 marks the third year in a row that the 501st Legion teamed with Midwest Base for Peoria's Prairie Air Show. This year, the troops occupied a table both days and tattooed nearly 800 children! Many thanks goes to Jim and his wife Emily for their continued support of our Legion. The work they do does not go unnoticed because the grins from the tattooed kids say it all! Thanks! May 30, 2008 Server Move status You might notice that the http://www.midwestgarrison.com now redirects to http://www.midwestgarrison.org. This is part of the server move and nothing to worry about. There are some things on the old server that require some work to get fully migrated. In the meantime you can use http://www.midwestgarrison.org. The forums are have been synced between servers, so nothing should be missing. The site has been moved over to a new server and eventually the midwestgarrison.com domain will point to this server. In the mean time please let me know if there are any issues at ed<at>litmusgreen.com. Thanks! Server Move Mokena Public Library's "All Things Star Wars" Event Star Wars author Troy Denning view all blog entries... Powered by phpBB Blog.

Events Jul 3rd 2009 IL - West Peroia - 4th of July Parade Jul 4th 2009 WI -Racine 4th of July Parade Jul 4th 2009 IL-Bartlett 4th of July Parade Sun July 5th Jul 12th 2009 WI - Milwaukee- Make-A-Wish Birthday Party Aug 1st 2009 IL - Hampshire Coon Creek Festival Events By Month >> Wisconsin Squad 501st Legion Where's Everyone Else? The Midwest Garrison serves Illinois and Wisconsin. If you're looking for other troops elsewhere, click above to explore where more troopers may be! A Garrison Among the Roses Several members of the Midwest Garrison were lucky to have been chosen to participate in the 118th Tournament of Roses celebration in Pasadena. Read about some of their exploits.