Generic Rebels - Heroes Made Here!

Over the years, I’ve listened to people question WHY anyone would want to join The Rebel Legion as a “generic” character?  They don’t seem to understand why someone would chose NOT to costume as one of the well known “face” characters from the Star Wars universe.  What makes this even more confusing is that, unlike the 501^st – where a group of TKs are instantly recognizable, Rebel Legion focuses more on the individual costumer.  As a result, the term “generic” has been branded with a negative image.

Recently, I have been asking Rebel Legion members, who portray generic characters, what inspires them to “rebel” against this belief.  One person in particular --  dankelzaga – posted something so true and well spoken, that I’m going to do what any good wingman would: move out of the way and let him take the shot!

“The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers. The Soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.”

― George S. Patton Jr.

"A Rebel Pilot, Dad… Really? But why don't you want to be someone really cool? You could be anything you wanted. Nobody even knows who you are"

These are the words I first heard when talking to my youngest son about my goal towards becoming a member of The Rebel Legion in the role of a "generic" Rebel Pilot.  It's a bit difficult to explain the thought process behind choosing a specific role when it comes costuming. I believe everyone is drawn to a certain costume or look from the very beginning of their fascination with a movie/film/interest.  Who hasn't had the "that is just so cool" moment upon viewing something some particular scene from some particular movie?

In my case, it was always a fascination with the pilots of the Rebel Alliance.  Of course, there are the named pilots we've come to know and love, names like: Luke, Wedge, Biggs, and Porkins… but what of the others?  Surely there were many other brave pilots fighting against the tyranny of the Evil Empire.  The bright orange flight suit, gadgets aplenty, and a battle-worn decorated helmet; how can one not be drawn to the costume?  Personally, the concepts of flight, aircraft, and space have always been things I've been fascinated with.  I remember reading of the bravery of WWI and WWII pilots as a youngster.  Many a childhood day was spent pretending to fly a Corsair around the yard like my hero -- Pappy Boyington and the rest of Black Sheep Squadron.  A part of this fascination is what led me to enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.  My wife often jokes that I simply traded my USMC uniform for a new one in regards to my Rebel Pilot costume.

Rebel Pilots are certainly not the flashiest of costumes, but I've yet to go unrecognized at an event.  The Rebel Pilot costume also allows me to easily enjoy any type of event; in just about any condition.  It is fairly easy to suit up and provides for a very good degree of situational awareness and movement.  The costume also allows my face to be seen.  It is this freedom that allows me to truly mingle with both fans and children.  A welcoming smile to an apprehensive child is often the single thing needed to change their attitudes towards the costumer and experience.  As I'm not restricted to acting a certain way or repeating specific lines, I have a great deal of freedom relative to the way in which I can mingle with fans.  The freedom of movement allows me to dance on dugouts, kneel to be at a youngster’s level, become a "human hockey puck", or assist other less flexible characters while they mingle with fans.

Another benefit to being a Rebel Pilot is that there are no restrictions relative to gender or race.  An entire squadron of pilots can be represented at an event.  While their costumes may all be uniform in appearance, their distinct helmet designs and individual characteristics allow for a true melting pot of "good guys/gals" ready to take on the Evil Empire.  Despite the source of our material being fantasy, groupings of multiple characters in similar uniforms tend to lend credibility to the fantasy/costumes in the eyes of a child.  The galactic civil war would most certainly have involved numerous "un-named" combatants.  Even children understand this concept both with soldiers of the Rebel Alliance and with the Stormtroopers of the Empire.  Seeing a large gathering of either group tends to produce many an "ahh" and "ohhh" during events.

I am very proud to be a part of the Rebel Legion.  While I certainly don't gain the attention of Darth Vader, Princess Leia, or Boba Fett -- ultimately, a smile, along with the previously mentioned "oohs" and "ahhs" are what make everything worthwhile.  I have spent a lot of time working on my costume, while ensuring things are as accurate as possible.  Every minute was absolutely worth it.  I feel that regardless of the costume, I will always be happiest in a "generic" role.  I am extremely proud to be a Rebel Pilot and even prouder to be a part of the Rebel Legion.  So, in the immortal words of Davish "Pops" Krail (Gold Five) and Nat King Cole…

“Stay on Target” and “Straighten up and fly right!”

Lt. Daan Kelzaga (Dan Hench)

Shadow 6

Shadow Squadron

Great Lakes Base

Rebel Legion

McMath Library's Annual Jedi Party

by: Z'Rissa

June 2, 2012

This is the fourth year that Kessel Base has joined Arkansas Crimson Nova Squad (Star Garrison) and a lot of kids at Sidney McMath Library in Little Rock, Arkansas for an afternoon learning a bit about the Force and lightsabers.  Not to mention eating "Wookiee Cookies" and drinking "Yoda Soda." McMath staffers tell us that this is one of their most popular events.  Every year, they have calls asking when the Academy will be on.

photo courtesy of Z'Rissa

We filtered into the room a few at a time as the slideshow on lightsabers began.   As usual, my son "Revan" was along, the lone Jedi, and happened to be one of the first of the costumers to enter.  His Master Replicas weapon, loaned by Dad, got a lot of attention.  I joined him a few minutes later in my pilot gear.  I got right into things, answering the host's question, "What is a lightsaber?" with the classic "An elegant weapon, not clumsy or random like a blaster."  Across the room, TB9612 noted ruefully, "We don't like them at all." 

Next up was the Force trainer gadget, another traditional favorite.  No, I didn't try it.  The line was too long and I wanted to make sure all the kids got a chance.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

At the same time, the kids got to their favorite part:  making their own lightsabers and playing Jedi & Sith with them.  Don't worry!  McMath 'sabers are made of foam, not power cells, emitters, Adegan crystals, etc.  Here's the construction, as taught by McMath's Jedi Archivists:  An adult Jedi Knight cuts a foam swimming pool noodle into several pieces.  The Padawan wraps a strip of duct tape around the end of 1 piece to from the hilt, and then sticks 2 round price dots (like people use on yard sale items) on the tape for the controls.  Then the Padawans have a ball with them.  I discussed with one of the Archivists how amazing it was that some kids could show up with 'sabers they'd made the year before when--if they were like my teens--they probably couldn't find yesterday's homework.

Revan, the Squad and I had a great time with the kids.  Several troopers allowed the kids to bop them over and over with the noodle-sabers, one even "cowering" in a corner.  All of us posed for pictures with the children and each other.  Revan was great about letting the youngsters hold his lightsaber in pictures. TK3630 (a joint RL member) coached Revan on placing his lightsaber blade between the trooper's armored arm and body for a realistic "Jedi stabs Stormtrooper" pose.  Just like his Dad (RL member Lon Mark) has done at some events. 

Before we left, several of us went through the library proper and Revan and I got some good shots of troopers, the Jedi and biker scouts looking at books and DVDs, which I will provide to McMath.  TB9612 posed with a books about space and the Moon while quipping about the latter... what else? 

"That's no moon--that's a space station!"

This event is was the first of 7 library visits we'll be doing in Central Arkansas this year.  Wow! Last year we only had two of these gigs.  I can't wait for July when we'll have 4 visits, all in conjunction with summer reading programs.

In fact, as a result of this mission, I had to edit the above paragraph -- because we added an event!  One of the families attending happened to be the "biggest Star Wars fans" at the Terry Library branch.  And the mother had already been asked to arrange Terry's Star Wars Extravaganza in early July.  So she was delighted to discover the Legions at McMath.  She found Kessel Base's Facebook page, with my posts about the upcoming library events and asked me to arrange an appearance at Terry.

Help us Omir-Wan Kenobi!!!

Tigers "Star Wars Night" 2012

Last fall, you may remember Lucasfilm partnered with Major League Baseball for a series of promotional events at MLB parks across the country to celebrate the release of Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu Ray.  The Detroit Tigers hosted a “Star Wars Night” game at Comerica Park with over 70 characters – possibly the largest turnout from the MLB/LFL promotion -- representing Great Lakes Base and Great Lakes Garrison.  This season, the Tigers asked us back to bring the power of "The Force" back to the ballpark!

“I go to Michigan a few times a year to watch the wolverines play football,” admits Legion – who drove up all the way from Columbus to attend this particular event; not bad considering he’s a Reds fan at heart.  And while he may not know many of the northern Ohio and Michigan members who frequently troop together, he says that everyone made him feel at home – which is one of the greatest things Great Lakes Base has going for itself. “It was very fun to troop outside of Ohio,” said Legion.

In fact, it is that sense of being part of a much larger team team, along with a great partnership with Great Lakes Garrison that allows us to draw together over 60 Star Wars characters for major events like this. This year’s “Star Wars Night” with the Detroit Tigers was also the 9th largest crowd in Comerica Park history!

"Let the Wookiee win!"

Lumpy (dressed as Chewbacca) and several of the guys got to meet Quinten Berry during the pregame parade of Star Wars characters around the warning track at Comerica Park.  Meanwhile, members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra treated the crowd with live Star Wars music.  The National Anthem for tonight’s game as performed by the legendary Four Tops, which according to Lumpy, “being on the field for that was really a neat thing!!!”  Darth Vader then threw out the first pitch, accompanied by a pair of TKs along with G-Man and dankelzaga from Shadow Squadron!

Footage of the Star Wars character parade and first pitch were shown on the nationally televised FOX Sports broadcast.

You can see clips of Great Lakes Base and Great Lakes Garrison from the FOX Sports Tigers/Yankees broadcast HERE.

*All video courtesy of Major League Baseball and FOX Sports

photo courtesy of dankelzaga 

Early in the game, there was a 30 min. rain delay, during which time -- some of the boys dropped in on Joe Buck and Tim McCarver in the FOX Sports broadcast booth to have some fun.  In fact, our teams of Star Wars characters put in some "extra innings" of our own to keep fans entertained, while they waited for the weather to clear and the game to resume.

Detroit Tigers "Star Wars Night" - Mission Photos

Once the game got back underway, things were NOT looking good for the Tigers as the “Evil Empire” Yankees had taken the lead and were looking to crush “Star Wars Night” like a formation of AT-AT Walkers.  Then Omir Santos' game-winning sacrifice fly, in the bottom of the ninth gave the Tigers a dramatic 4-3 win!

HEY YANKEES… that's what you get for taking over our locker room! Hope you boys enjoyed the smell of 30+ armor bins and wet Wookiee fur! ;)