Mike Tripp

mtripp@newsleader.com

I still remember as a young boy when my big sister took me to see Star Wars.

The 6-year-old watched in wide-eyed fascination and dreamed of one day becoming a Jedi, like Luke Skywalker and Obiwan Kenobi.

Over the years, I've since come to admire and appreciate the members of the 501st Legion (Vader's Fist) and made a few friends in the group's Virginia chapter, Garrison Tyranus.

As they like to say ... "We are bad guys doing good."

First hand, I've watched as children get all wide-eyed at their iconic white armor — the joyful smiles and bright-eyed laughs.

I've heard the stories of when they go into hospitals to brighten the days of children stuck within.

Seen how they also go out of their way to lift up others who have been bullied, helping them stand taller.

It was back in May when I took my first steps in joining them, ordering a Stormtrooper kit for myself ... as I seek to craft my own set of armor for a classic Star Wars trooper.

I dream of becoming a Stormtrooper

Well, a lot of calendar watching later and my armor kit at long last has arrived.

Keep in mind, this is only the start of the journey as there is a lot yet to be done.

The video above marks the first in a series of planned occasional video blog entries.

Readers are invited to follow along as I shape the armor over the next few months, following along til I've crafted the pieces into a completed set of armor and gained admittance into the famed 501st.

This particular vlog entry takes viewers inside the box to see just what a "stormtrooper kit" is and taste how much work I've still got ahead of me ... now that the REAL work can begin.

Walk with me on this journey and let's enjoy the adventure together.

--- Mike Tripp, photojournalist