To Wapakoneta and Beyond!

photos courtesy Armstrong Air and Space Museum

Last summer, you heard about our visit to the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, OH -- home of NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong.  After our appearance during last summer’s rocket weekend was so popular with guests, the museum decided to host a special “Star Wars” themed event and invited Great Lakes Base and Ohio Garrison back for another mission to “the moon.”

The Armstrong Air and Space Museum is located along I-75, and the dome of the building was designed to resemble the moon -- site of astronaut Armstrong’s famous landing, back in the summer of 1969.  The museum hosts several artifacts from the Apollo 11 mission including moon rocks and Armstrong’s space suit -- as well as the actual Gemini VIII spacecraft.  There are also many items from Armstrong’s life in Wapakoneta and his early years learning how to fly.

What made this visit a little different was the “Star Wars” Q/A session, which took place under the 56 foot dome of the museum’s Astro Theater.  After a brief introduction by the museum staff, the conversation quickly shifted from a lecture on Star Wars into more of a town hall discussion about not just Rebel Legion and 501st -- but also a chance for us to lose our “in character” personas and just be ourselves.  Both adults and even the kids had interesting questions for each of us, ranging from topics of how we assemble our costumes/characters, what our personal favorite Star Wars movies are (Return of the Jedi -- in my case), down to one little boy who simply wanted to us to know his favorites are Episodes I-III.  It was both refreshing (and somewhat different) to let down our guard of having to stay “in character” while in public, because it was the chance to relate to the audience more; both as fans of Star Wars and fans of real-life space exploration.

And wouldn’t you know it -- afterwards, kids still came up to us asking for photos and autographs.  Even after the crowds had gone, we toured around to checkout the museum’s exhibits and displays.

While this visit to the Armstrong Air and Space Museum was brief, you can expect the Rebels and Empire will return for some event in the future!

Yuri's Night Cleveland

If you are a fan of man’s exploration of space, April 12th is a very important time of the year. It is the date of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin’s first manned space flight -- it is also the date of the inaugural launch of NASA’s Space Shuttle.  To help celebrate these -- and other great moments in space exploration -- The Great Lakes Science Center was proud to host Yuri’s Night Cleveland, including an appearance by members of Great Lakes Base and Ohio Garrison.

What makes the Great Lakes Science Center a perfect venue for Yuri’s Night is they also host the newly upgraded NASA Glenn Visitor’s Center; along with the GLSC’s IMAX theater and other scientific exhibits.  The first thing you recognize is the giant Skylab 3 Apollo Command Module, which was transferred over from the original NASA Lewis Visitor Center -- along with various other space suits and displays.  As a kid, I can remember many a school field trip where I’d just stand in front of the Skylab 3 (which used to be behind glass) and dream about being just like my childhood hero: Ohio astronaut John Glenn.  If you’ll pardon the Star Trek reference, it was a bit of a “Picard” moment to be able to actually touch the Skylab 3 module, after all these years.

Speaking of that other space franchise, we weren’t the only people dressed up in costume for the party!  There were a noticeable number of guests wearing their own Star Trek, Doctor Who, Battlestar Galactica and Aliens costumes -- even some vintage sci-fi inspired outfits.  We met up with “The Doctor” who managed to land his own TARDIS inside the Great Lakes Science Center.  There were even a few guests dressed in Star Wars costumes. 

GLB "Mission Photos" -- Yuri's Night Cleveland

One of the things that is great about Yuri’s Night is that, while our primary assignment was to interact with guests, after a while our guys tend to blend in with the crowd; and we get enjoy ourselves a little more than usual.  Later in the evening, we got to wander around all three floors of the GLSC and try some the many hands-on exhibits and displays the GLCS has to offer.  The dance floor was busy all night as The Floorwalkers performed and later DJ OZMTC kept the music playing, right up until the balloon drop at the end of the night.

We always have fun trooping at Yuri’s Night Cleveland – and looking forward to returning next year!

Lazer Xtreme - Michigan roadtrip

by: Tiernan

photo courtesy Snips92

Since joining the Great Lakes Base, Tom, Matt and myself have trooped in Michigan -- never able to venture out of state until April 6th when the Ohio members were apart of "Star Wars" Lazer Xtreme fundraiser.  This two-day event attracted our interest enough that we pack our bags to make the two and half hour drive.  Having met a few Ohio Rebels, being able to see them once again furthered our interest for different reasons.  When we arrived, the troop was not what we expected.

After trooping for over five months, "The Boys" (as I call Tom and Matt sometimes behind their backs) and myself have gotten used to the everyday job of Rebels who are out numbered by Stormtroopers and other Great Lakes Garrison costumers.  The laser tag event in Ohio happened and the three of us got a completely different experience; one that we didn't expect.  Upon arrival it was nice to see those that we met at the Detroit St. Patrick's Day Parade, as well as new friendly faces (good guys and bad guys alike).  Once we got settled in, suited up and received instructions, we were ready to go -- but not expecting as much interaction with the guest and troopers.  With myself and Tom being more quiet and not that outgoing when it comes to meeting new people or interacting with others we haven't known for a while -- this was a major change and surprise.  It was easier to talk to members with all the joking and tomfoolery.  Being able to chase after and shoot a laser guns at guest was a change of pace for us.

 

Rebel Strike Team!

The Star Wars characters were their own team, sharing vests among Rebels, Imperials and Mandalorians alike.  As Rebel Troopers, Tom and Matt were in their “happy place” -- being able to play a few rounds in their costumes.  As a Jedi, while I wasn’t able to play wearing a laser tag vest/gun -- until I changed into civilian clothes -- it was amazing for me to be able to have fun and interact with everyone as I did.  Halfway through our time there, we decided to take a break from the antics to cool down, eat, and change costumes.  While in the changing room, it was good to witness the boys talking casually and exchanging costume tips with a Rebels and Mercs; one person was amazed how my Jedi belt could fit around their thigh.  After a while of sitting talking and getting dressed once more, I got the chance to play a few rounds of laser tag myself -- which was funny at times.  During my third game -- and not very good -- I thought it hilarious that some of the people on my same team were mistakenly shooting at me.  After a couple of rounds playing in the vests, it was time for me to break once again.

Even though Tom, Matt and I had to leave early after so much fun and everyone trying to coax us into staying; wished that we could have stayed for dinner and prolonged our visit.  The one thing we're still talking about is the next event where we get the chance to troop and mingle with everyone.

The three of us had our own highlights of the day. In Tom’s case, it was playing laser tag, swapping costume how to tips and being able to be as playful. With Matt, it was the fact of being able to troop socializing with more members and other stuff (you'll have to ask him).  As for myself, it was how much I socialized with everyone, being able to scare off kids.  But my biggest surprise was how nice Krash was -- for letting me borrow his lightsaber since mine was dying -- and how one of the local Rebel Fleet Trooper just took my lightsaber and put new batteries in it for me!  Both things were something I really appreciated.  We all agreed that it was nice being able to troop with members of our own age group, which helped with being able to talk about almost anything such as cartoons.

Dance like a Wookiee!

by: Lumpy 

photo courtesy Lumpy

Every year, students at the University of Michigan host a 30-hour dance-a-thon fundraiser for CS Mott Children's Hospital.  Having attended this event 2 years ago, members of the Great Lakes Base and Great Lakes Garrison were invited back this year as well.  Our mission was a simple one -- arrive early Sunday morning to help energize the participants who had been up and active all through the night.  If that's the job, who better to send the the Wookiee (with a little help from a couple Stormtroopers).  Chewie danced with the crowd and posed for tons of pics.

The event raised OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS for the hospital!  We were pleased and honored to be a small part of the fun.

Lazer Xtreme

photos courtesy Snips92

For years, the Lazer Xtreme "Star Wars" laser tag charity fundraiser was the signature event in northeast Ohio.  There would be lines out the door with people waiting to play laser tag with Star Wars characters to support local charities such as Make-A-Wish.  Yet after a two-year hiatus, could this event make a triumphant return – a “Return of the Jedi” (along with Rebels, Troopers, and Sith) as it were?

There had been efforts made to revive the laser tag event with the new management, since news of the sale was announced.  Last summer, when news broke that the Lazer Xtreme “Star Wars” fundraiser was BACK -- excitement skyrocketed within Great Lakes Base, Ohio Garrison and now the Rancor Clan from Mando Mercs would be joining us; an event that was made for Mandalorian warriors!  There were still plenty of us who were around for the laser tag event – but even more who had only knew of this awesome event through legends and stories told around the table at one of our post-trooping meals.

The first thing we needed to do was get the word out that Lazer Xtreme was BACK!  For the first time, GLB member and aspiring comic book artist Travis Perkins designed an event promotional poster -- featuring original artwork.  This thing was BEAUTIFUL and thanks to Travis for helping us out!

Finally, it was time to return to Lazer Xtreme and their 10,000 sq. ft. game arena for the “Star Wars” weekend fundraiser.  In my case, this felt like coming back “home” – as Snips92 and I discovered this place and developed the original event.  Many of us know this place inside and out: from all the best/worst places for costume characters (some with limited vision) to “the Alamo” – our unofficial Base where everyone meets up between games to trade vests with reinforcements.  One tradition we seemed to carry over from the past was the “slight weapons malfunction” getting our vests/guns to work properly for the first game of the day -- some things NEVER change!

Once we got to playing laser tag, it was time to sit back and have FUN!  The whole experience feels like a live-action video game – and like any good game, it’s the “multi-player” version when things get really exciting.  I was amazed at how willing everyone was to trade vests with their fellow Rebels, Imperials and Mercs.  At one point (both days) we had an ALL Mando Mercs crew fighting alongside each other – along with our new friend from Mav Oya’la Clan; a sight to behold I’m certain!  Not to be outdone, a few of our Great Lakes Base members from Michigan drove down for Saturday (more on that later) providing us with the largest contingent of Rebels that I’ve seen together at one event in years.  And we needed every available person to play on Saturday – to accommodate the “Kids Zone” (kids under 12 yrs old ONLY) start time – which meant we had TEN hours of laser tag on our hands.

The one thing I noticed different from past years was our groups’ willingness to stay in the game arena (even without a vest) to help create the illusion of the “Star Wars” universe inside the game arena.  In the past, more people would be hanging around in the lobby for pictures – this time EVERYONE wanted to be in the game!

My greatest fear came true on Sunday… “spring” finally arrived!  The weather outside was beautiful, so you can imagine attendance was lower then on Saturday.  However, that didn’t diminish the level of participation from our Rebels, Troopers and Mandos – despite a lot of tired bodies.  My favorite quote to sum up the experience came from Obi-WanJay when he said, “my everything hurts.”  This didn’t stop everyone from playing another six hours (16 total for the weekend) of laser tag.

GLB "Mission Reports" -Lazer Xtreme

Overall, the return to laser tag was a mixed bag of success and lessons learned for the future.  We should know more about the Make-A-Wish fundraising totals later this week, but we defiantly made a good impression with the folks at Lazer Xtreme.  Here’s hoping for the start of a NEW “legend” to share with future generations of Great Lakes Base members.