On December 8th and 9th, the Midwest Garrison appeared at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL for the 11th Annual Christmas Lego Train Show. The Legion was there supporting Marine Toys For Tots, taking pictures with the public and bringing some classic Star Wars magic to the event...
Captain Javier Martinez, the DuPage County Coordinator for Toys for Tots, was thrilled to have us join him for the second year in a row!
Can you spot the real soldier in this picture?
Saturday's Marine (I believe his name was Greg), was equally glad to have Imperial support for the cause.
DZ-50488 spotted a really nice Star Wars toy in that bin...
The massive Lego train displays constructed by the Northern Illinois Lego Train Builders club held many subtle gags that delighted those who found them, but I think we can agree that the best one was the "Acme Cloning" store, being overrun by stormtroopers.
"Hey! I know that guy!"
DZ-4438 is ready to rock (with a little help from Artoo Gochi)!
Outside, on the park grounds, IG-3446 and IG-8968 of the the Midwest Gunnery Corps fired several volleys across the ridge at some suspected Rebel activity. The insurrection has been quelled.
It's no planetary superlaser, but it'll do in a pinch...
Sunday morning's crew:
Our Imperial presence must have scared the guy with the camera... he was shaking so much that he couldn't get a clean shot!
Many more photos can be found in the Midwest Garrison Photo Archives: http://s1099.photobucket.com/albums/g39 ... or%20Tots/
Big thanks to all of the members who came out last weekend to have some fun for a great cause! We made a great impression on the event organizers, so keep an eye out in 2013 for more opportunities to troop with the Northern Illinois Lego Train Builders and with the Marines' Toys for Tots Foundation!
* 12/08/12 IL Winfield – Toys for Tots at Cantigny
Phyllis Schulte 1951 (RL)
Steve Szyndrowski 3052 (SL)
Neil Auer 3446 (IG)
Steve Gaza 4034 (TK)
Roland Batrouni 4186 (TK)
Ed Kryzowski 4438 (DZ)
Brian Troyan 8968 (IG)
Tyler Meier 50488 (DZ)
* 12/09/12 IL Winfield – Toys for Tots at Cantigny
Steve Szyndrowski 3052 (SL)
Steve Gaza 4034 (TK)
Roland Batrouni 4186 (TK)
Steve Mammen 7345 (TK)
Brian Troyan 8968 (IG)
Jon Weger 9142 (TS)
Tyler Meier 50488 (DZ)
Charity totals:
Trooper hours: approximately 65 for the weekend
Toys and money collected: TBD
