By: Kat Kiele and Melinda Rain
The invasion in San Diego, California, was headed by the Haran'galaar (Hell Hawks), San Diego Clan for the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club, along with the 501st Southern California Garrison, San Diego Squad. The two costuming groups were working together, bring smiles children's, adults, and even teenager's faces.
During my time in San Diego, I was able to get to know the local clan, a lot better along with have a voice interview with them, which should be featured on the next SWU (Star Wars Underworld) podcast.
According to Mr. Sebree, who goes by Eerbes Semaj on the Mercs forum,
"I do these events because because it's fun to go around in an awesome
looking costume and no one know it's you. The charities for the kids are
fun and great, it's a good feeling you get when you see a smile on a
kids face. And I did Star Wars Reads Day because it celebrates Star Wars
as well as promoting reading which is a very important aspect of life.
Star Wars books are what got me to really enjoy reading in the first
place so I support it 100%."
For this Star Wars Reads day, we went to a comic book store, by the name of Comickaze. Don't mistake this for Stan Lee's Comic Convention, which it unaffiliated with this store. The owner, who was a kind gentleman was very open for the Mercs and 501st members to troop outside the comic book store. Not only were the Mercs able to bring a lot of attention to this store, they were able to bring smiles upon children's faces.
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| Todd Mullin (right) and Subway Employee (left) |
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The kids in this picture were slightly scared of the Mandalorian Warrior, and the AT-AT driver. They finally warmed up to them after seeing that they were real people inside the plastic spaceman suits. Suiting up and having kids experience the excitement and fan-craziness is what the 501st and the Mercs are most well-known for.
Though that day was a fairly slow day for the Mandalorian Mercs Haran'galaar clan and the 501st Legion, San Diego Squad, it was very fulfilling to the smiles on the non-costumers faces.
In the near future, there shall be more events that I (Melinda) and Kat shall cover for them.
It has been a great experience to work with these amazing people, whom are a little bit crazy to dress up in plastic armor when it is 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside.
More photos from that event can be found on:
Haran'galaar Flickr,
Jeditography Flickr, and
Don't Blink Photography (Melinda)
The Mandalorian Mercs Page:
www.mercs.firespray.net
The 501st Legion Page:
www.501st.com
If you are interested in costuming, find your local garrison and say hi! :)
