Star Wars Night at the Palace

by: Tiernan

To start off 2013, both Great Lakes Base and Great Lakes Garrison were invited to The Detroit Pistons “Star Wars Night” game at the Palace of Auburn Hills.  Members of both organizations showed ready to troop with enthusiasm and costumes ready to go.  After arriving, changing and pregame speech from Lumpy (Chris Blackstock), we were ready for to receive the mission from our guides. Assignment: walk around the different sections of the Palace for fans to see and take pictures with. Most of all… have FUN, and stay safe.

With the assistance of "The Palace Crew", we were divided into groups and shown the sections that we were to patrol.  As things started off slowly, employees got the chance to take pictures with us; and fans that arrived early got the opportunity to linger a bit longer around their favorite character.  As time passed, more people showed up.  There were lines forming all around the North Pavilion, where Chewbacca stood.  Fans of all ages gathered for autographs, pictures with everyone’s favorite “walking carpet.”  Fans also got to meet Jedi, Rebel Pilots, one Endor Trooper and 501st troopers such as Darth Vader, Boba Fett and the TKs.  Fans came and went with the minutes that past by, the game was soon underway and the Detroit Pistons took on the Atlanta Hawks.

photo courtesy Detroit Pistons

The highlight of the night wasn't the members of the Great Lakes Base and Great Lakes Garrison there that night.  What got people talking, over ecstatic and excited was the signing of Billy Dee Williams.  The Honorary Member of The Rebel Legion (aka Lando Calrissian) signed autographs for fans and took pictures.  Afterwards, he made his way to the stadium to watch the game.  Mr. Williams gave an interview courtside, along with R2D2 and Chewbacca.  He was also presented with a package of legion goodies on the behalf of the GLB and GLG by Lumpy.

As we marched with our heads held high, the Piston's played a close game with a score of 85 and the Atlanta Hawks 84.  Whether it was luck or midichlorians that allow us to use "the Force" it was a successful night!

Detroit Pistons

by: Vacuum

Shadow Squadron greeting fans!

Friday, January 4th saw the return of the Great Lakes Base along with the Great Lakes Garrison to the second annual Detroit Pistons "Star Wars Night" at the Palace of Auburn Hills. 

Along with costumers from both organizations, there was a very special guest star present for the event: Mr. Billy Dee Williams -- aka the coolest dude in GFFA, Lando Calrissian.  Mr. Williams signed autographs for the fans before the game and threw in the game ball, escorted by some of the GLG troopers along with everyone’s favorite astromech droid, R2-D2.  The GLB’s hardest working Wookiee (Lumpy) presented Mr. Williams with a gift package of various items from both the light side and the dark side groups as a “thank you” from all of us for his involvement.

To say the presence of all of the costumed characters was a huge hit would be an understatement.  Fans of all ages posed for photos with all of their favorites and we heard many compliments from attendees all evening long.  It was just a very fun crowd to interact with and they, along with and the staff of the Palace, made it a very enjoyable experience for us as well.

The teams played a close game that night, but I like to think “the Force” was responsible for that extra point needed for the Pistons to an 85-84 win over Atlanta!

This was a great way to start another year of trooping for the Great Lakes Base and hope to see plenty of you out there doing more wonderful things in 2013.