Garrison News
| FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND! | |
| By BLUERAM on Jun 30, 2014 at 6:54 PM. | |
 We have two great parades coming up this week in celebration of Independence day! First up is the 45th annual West Peoria 4th of July Parade! This one is put on by the West Peoria Lions Club and takes place on Friday July 4th and steps off at 10 AM. Click here for a MAP of the parade route and here for more Parade info The second parade is the Bartlett 4th of July parade! The Bartlett Lions Club has coordination duties on this one. Sunday, July 6th is the day of the parade and steps off at 1 PM. Check out the website [urlhttp://www.bartlettlions.org/events/parade/">HERE for more info. This is one of the largest gathering of Star Wars Charters that the Midwest Garrison gathers for a parade in our jurisdiction. We enlist the help of surrounding Garrisons, Mandalorian Mercs , and yes we even let the Rebel Legion join the fun! |
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| BUSY WEEKEND AHEAD FOR OUR DOWNSTATE TROOPERS! | |
| By BLUERAM on Jun 23, 2014 at 9:38 PM. | |
We have THREE big events coming up this weekend, two in Central Illinois and one in Southern Illinois. First up is the 24HR McLean County Relay 4 Life, this will be our 10th year attending this one! Come out and join us at Normal Community West High School, 501 N Parkside Rd ,Normal, IL 61761 starting on Friday, June 27th at noon with the closing ceremony commencing at 11:50 on the 28th. Go to our TEAM PAGE if you would like to donate . We thank you in advance for any and all support! For more event info check out THIS LINK Up next is a local fan favorite event, Star Wars Night at the Peoria Chiefs! This takes place on Saturday, June 28th with game time of 6:30PM, we will start the night greeting fans at the main gates starting at 5:30. Tickets can be purchased HERE and a map to Dozer Park can be found HERE. The Chiefs will be using special Star Wars themed jerseys for the night that will be auctioned off during the game. The night will be capped off with post game FIREWORKS!  Photo by: Mike Smith Our final event is also a Star Wars night , this one takes place at the Southern Ill Miners, 1000 Miners Way, MARION, Illinois. Saturday the 28th will be our inaugural appearance at Rent One Ballpark.! Game time is 6:05pm with gates opening a hour prior. Tickets can be found HERE |
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| GENEVA SWEDISH DAYS PARADE | |
| By BLUERAM on Jun 19, 2014 at 1:18 PM. | |
 Come out and see the Midwest Garrison march in the 65th Annual Swedish Days Parade in Geneva, IL. This will be our inaugural appearance in the yearly parade that takes place this Sunday, June 22nd beginning at 1 PM. The Swedish Days Festival is already in full swing, for more information about this festival and parade go to https://www.genevachamber.com/swedish_days.php We hope to see you there cheering on all the parade entries! |
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| Walk Now For Autism Speaks – Saturday 5/17 at Soldier Field | |
| By iam8114 on May 14, 2014 at 10:37 AM. | |
 The Midwest Garrison will once again take to the confines of historic Soldier Field in support of the 11th Annual Walk Now For Autism Speaks this Saturday. Join Autism Speaks and the Midwest Garrison as we walk to change the future for all who struggle with autism! For more information on the event, or how you can help, go to http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1084944 We hope to see you there! 
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| May The Fourth (Weekend) Be with YOU! | |
| By BLUERAM on Apr 29, 2014 at 4:48 PM. | |
This coming weekend, the world will be celebrating Star Wars. There will be Star Wars Day, May the Fourth, Free Comic Book Day, and more. You’ll be able to find the Midwest Garrison in various locations across Illinois and the 501st across the world!  Starting Friday, May 2nd, is Star Wars Night with the Kane County Cougars. Come out and see the Midwest Garrison and enjoy a great baseball game. Members will be roaming the ballpark to pose for pictures with fans. There will be a pre-game parade, led by our troops, for any kids wearing their own Star Wars costumes. You may also catch some fun moments the Garrison on field throughout the game. Finally, following the game, the Cougars will light up the sky with a Star Wars themed fireworks spectacular! Game time is 6:30 pm. The gates will open at 5:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased HERE!  Saturday, May 3rd, is Free Comic Book Day, and our troopers will be out at local comic books stores in support. Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May each year - when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores! *Check with your local comic book shop for their participation and rules. Come see us at one of the following locations: Acme Comics. 112 North St, Normal IL 61761 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Wheaton Public Library. 225 N. Cross St. Wheaton, Illinois 60187 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Amazing Fantasy Books and Comics. 20523 S. Lagrange Rd, Frankfort IL 60423 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Slackers Music Movies & Games. 150 Junction Drive Glen Carbon, IL 62034 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM G-Mart. 44 E. Main Street Suite 103 Champaign, IL 61820 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Lightspeed Hobbies. 5884 US Hwy 6, Portage, IN 46368 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM For more information about Free Comic Book Day, you can visit http://www.freecomicbookday.com .  Sunday, May 4th, is Star Wars Day. Celebrate in style with the Empire. We will be out, celebrating this day and posing for pictures with Star Wars fans across the state. Children's Miracle Network Fundraiser @ Walmart. 9245 West 159th Street Orland Hills IL 60477 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Crystal Lake Public Library. 126 W Paddock St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Joliet Public Library with Artist Steve Palanica . 150 N Ottawa St Joliet, IL 60432 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Oak Park Public Library. 834 Lake St. Oak Park, Illinois 60301 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Messenger Public Library of North Aurora. 113 Oak Street North Aurora, Illinois 60542 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Woodstock Public Library. 414 W. Judd Street Woodstock, Illinois 60098 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Star Wars Screening Benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Hollywood Boulevard Theater. 1001 E 75th St, Woodridge, Illinois 60517 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM There are plenty of opportunities this weekend to meet up with the Imperial Forces of the Midwest Garrison. We hope to see a lot of our fans at one of the many events this weekend. May the fourth be with you! |
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| The Midwest Garrison To Invade C2E2 This Weekend! | |
| By BLUERAM on Apr 23, 2014 at 6:54 PM. | |
 This weekend, Friday April 25th through Sunday April 27th, the Midwest Garrison will be in full force for C2E2 at McCormick Place in Chicago! This year, we will have our booth in what the con is calling the “Fan Village” located in the Grand Ballroom. Members will be in costume all weekend, walking the floor and posing for pictures! On Saturday, we will be hosting two special events for the public. From noon until 1:30 pm, we will be running the Children’s Blaster Arena. Kids will get the chance to fight along side, and against, Stormtroopers in a Lazer Tag battle! Also on Saturday we will also be hosting a panel, Costuming in the Star Wars Galaxy, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Come in and learn about some of the tricks and tips of creating the incredible costumes you see the members of the Midwest Garrison wearing at the con! Don’t miss out on what is sure to be a fantastic con, where you have the chance to meet and interact with a large contingent of troopers from the Midwest Garrison! For a complete layout of the convention look at this interactive map and check out http://www.c2e2.com/ for ticket info and any other questions you might have, hope to see you there! |
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| MWG November 2013 Trooper of the Month! | |
| By BLUERAM on Jan 3, 2014 at 5:26 PM. | |
 Brian Troyan and Darcy Anne Jorgensen (foreground) Thanks to Thomas Spanos for the photo! Congratulations to Darcy Anne Jorgensen ,"Peanut" TB-81470 for being voted Trooper of the Month for November 2013! Darcy has been nominated for her efforts at The Chicago Toy and Game Fair (ChiTAG), November 23 & 24, 2013. While she has only been an official member since August, Darcy has been part of the family for years and has more that earned the honor of being recognized for her efforts! Brian Troyan (MWG Commanding officer) nominated our "Peanut" and had this to say, "Darcy has been a mainstay at Garrison events large and small for years, long before she was officially a member. At ChiTAG this year, she worked the Blast-a-Trooper booth almost non-stop for the entire weekend, explaining the game and the charity, taking donations, collecting darts, reloading guns, and ultimately helping to raise $1436.00 for LaSalle County XMas 4 Kids. She's actually performed this same tireless duty at the last two Wizard World Chicago Comic Cons, at last year's ChiTAG, and at the C2E2 Imperial Academy. In fact, at almost every major fundraiser that we've done in the last two or three years involving hundreds of foam projectiles flying in every direction, Darcy has been in the trenches on the front lines. And on top of everything else, her can-do, positive attitude is nothing short of indefatigable. In fact, the only thing that I have ever seen dampen her spirits is finding out that she might not be able to make it to a troop. She always has a smile and a laugh to share with everyone in the garrison. Events are more fun with her around. Darcy deserves the honor of Midwest Garrison Trooper of the Month, not just for the work that she performed this past November, but for all of the work that she has done to promote the MWG and our charitable causes since the time that she first borrowed her mother's Biker Scout costume years ago. We are extremely lucky to have her in the Garrison and in the Legion, and official recognition of her contributions is long overdue." |
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| MWG October 2013 Trooper(s) of the Month! | |
| By BLUERAM on Dec 8, 2013 at 6:06 PM. | |
 Thanks to Mike Smith for the photo! Congratulations to both Shannon Buetsch, BH-82371(Left) and Kim Worley, DZ-12108(right) for being voted Trooper(s) of the Month for October 2013! These two are textbook examples of what our group is all about! Great job and keep up the Excellent work! Both were nominated by Steve Gaza, TK/BH 4034 "October cannot go through without the recognition of TWO troopers that have jumped into this legion feet first and running!!!!!" Shannon was nominated for her Coordination of the Kane County Toy Show on October 27th, 2013. Steve also had this to say for this exceptional trooper "Shannon is as dedicated as they come. Having only become a member since August of this year, Shannon is on her way to topping 20 troops this year. But she is not satisfied with merely attending troops. Shannon wanted to dive right into becoming an Event coordinator and did a spectacular job setting up the St. Charles toy show. IT was a fantastic turnout and we have been invited back with open arms because of her efforts! She has taken on at least three other events before the end of the year. KEEP it up, Girl!!!!!" Take a look HERE for more photos from this event. Kim was nominated for coordinating "THE' Tusken Gathering and photoshoot on October 26th, 2013. More from Steve on the outstanding character of this trooper "Kim has only been a registered member of the Garrison since June of this year. However, accompanied by her husband Hawk, Kim has not only attended almost 20 troops but has developed the means to build an affordable Tusken Raider costume not only for herself, but for at least 8 other members that I know of. She then orchestrated a Tusken Raider photoshoot that was a total blast for all the 19 (I think) Tuskens that showed up. WAY TO GO, KIM!!!" Take a look HERE for a group shot and other pictures from the outing! |
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| MWG September 2013 Trooper of the Month! | |
| By BLUERAM on Nov 6, 2013 at 6:58 PM. | |
 Congratulations to Mark "BLUERAM" Berry, TB/BH-4265 for being voted Trooper of the Month for September 2013! Mark was nominated for his efforts with the Pekin, IL Marigold Festival! "Okay, he's probably going to hunt me down for this because he's part of the Command Staff and feels it's part of the job, but I'm not letting all the hard work go unnoticed. This was Mark's "baby" for quite a few months worth of time & effort. The city decided to go with a Star Wars Theme for their annual festival and BLUERAM was very involved in the process of putting things together. This involved many nights of festival planning meetings. It started with scheduling Peter Mayhew as special celebrity guest, then having to make other arrangements due to Peter's knee surgery. Daniel Logan and Tom Kane were found as suitable replacements. There were multiple events tied in with the two days of Marigold including a photoshoot with organizers to promote the event, a wine tasting evening, a parade, Imperial Academy, celebrity Q & A session, BAT, and an after party. There was also a wedding proposal that made the local news. Great trooper turnout and a very successful few days. I believe the host has already suggested another strong involvement for next year. In addition, Mark has been hosting armor parties to assist the growing amount of new recruits with their builds." nominated by 9255 Keven Marion "Thank you all! A special thank you to everyone who helped make the Marigold festival a huge success! No matter how much planning or work behind the scenes takes place the event is nothing without you guys!" Mark Berry |
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| Event Spotlight: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk | |
| By jweger77 on Oct 17, 2013 at 12:37 PM. | |
 Donations raised so far: $4471.00!! Almost everyone has been touched by breast cancer in some way, including us! The Midwest Garrison and Rebel Legion Nar Shaddaa Base are once again joining forces for the 8th consecutive year in hopes of bringing breast cancer to an end in our universe. We are showing that the good guys and the bad guys of the Star Wars sagas can put their differences aside to fight this terrible illness. Come walk with us on October 20th at Pattawatomie Park in St, Charles, Illinois at 9:00am to show your support , have your picture taken with a Star Wars character, and help us "FORCE" breast cancer out of this world! Today 1 of every 2 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer reaches out to the American Cancer Society for help and support. The donations our team raises will enable investment in groundbreaking breast cancer research, free information and services for women diagnosed with the disease, and access to mammograms for women who need them. Our donations will help more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors celebrate another birthday this year! Why We Support the American Cancer Society Saving lives from breast cancer starts one team, one walker, and one dollar at a time. We know that the American Cancer Society is the leader in the fight to end breast cancer. We know that supporting them will ensure that if you need someone to talk to anytime of the day or night, they?ll be there. If your friend is losing her hair from chemo, your mother needs a ride to treatment, or a loved one needs a place to stay when treatment is far from home, they will be there to help. Join us and together we will walk for a world without breast cancer. For more information on this fantastic event, or to donate to our team; please visit: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCCY13IL?team_id=1449814&pg=team&fr_id=55793 |
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