Ever hear of a group called the 501st Legion? Maybe even got to see them or take pictures with them? Well, they are a Star Wars costuming club on the Imperial side. Everything they do is charity work.

I had the pleasure of hanging out with them and talking with some of the members about the legion and why they joined. Being a fan of Star Wars I thought it was a pretty cool idea to talk to some of the guys and girls.

Back in December 2017 the 501st Legion, Alabama Garrison trooped around the Quintard Mall in Oxford, AL for a very special night. The premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. I was there to take pictures and interview the Garrison about the 501st.

These people are really laid back and fun to be around. They were all so nice to let me interview them. For the sake of privacy, I will be using their Legion call signs for the interview.

1. How did you find out about the 501st?

Blaster: I used to be a toy dealer and saw some of them at a toy show. My first event was actually the Talladega race track.

Predator: Ran into them at Dragon con in 2011.

Darth Draven: When I was a teenager, I was really into stormtroopers. I looked more into the Legion and it said they were people with a purpose. I had always loved star wars and I could dress up now! So almost a year later, when I was financially stable, I joined!

Casper: Through my boyfriend, he did it first and I went with him to a troop as a handler. I saw the little kids happy and excited and wanted to be apart of that.

Ghost: I think it was through Dragon con, I saw a bunch of stormtroopers there and wanted to know what that was about and I think that was the first time. Then I went back to Birmingham and looked more into it.

Dent: I found out about the 501st through Blaster. My first event was World of Wheels and that was when I got my first taste of dressing up and costuming. Been in love with it ever since!

2. How long have you been a member?

Blaster: Nearly 11 years.

Predator: 11 years.

Darth Draven: Since October of last year.

Casper: A year and a couple of months.

Ghost: A year and two months.

Dent: I've been a member for about four years now.

3. What are some of the best experiences you have had with the 501st?

Blaster: My first one was the best troop I went to. Majority of the experiences are behind the scenes type of deal like mixers. I've actually met a lot of Star Wars actors through mixers. I'm also squad leader of Red Rain in Alabama.

Predator: Charity work for Autism society also doing Make a Wish Foundation. Also the get-togethers.

Darth Draven: It's like a 2nd Family to me. I try to make any troop.

Casper: Probably some children hospital troops. It feels a little rewarding just by making those kids day when they are not feeling good. Also, some of the Make A Wish Foundation troops.

Ghost: A whole lot of good experiences with Children's Hospital and Make a wish. It is really rewarding for me personally because I get to use a costume addiction for good. I was dressing up in costumes before doing 501st. It gives me a positive outlet for dressing in costume. I have been in 18 to 20 troops since I joined.

Dent: Every troop is different and every experience is different. My first event was World of Wheels. We play music, dance around, and have a good time entertaining the crowd. On a different side of the same coin, there is Children's hospital it's not the most exciting and it's not the longest but its why we do what we do. To put a smile on those kids faces.

4. Best part of being in the 501st?

Blaster: Me.

Predator: Having friends with a common interest.

Darth Draven: Being a big nerd. I love dressing up and seeing the kids reaction.

Casper: Just making people smile,

Ghost: It just gives me something to be apart of that is bigger than costuming because you get to make children really happy.

Dent: For me, it's friends with a common interest. It's also a great way to give back to people and celebrate my love for Star Wars.

5. What are your thoughts on the new movie?

Blaster: Don't know anything about it, heard anything, or read anything. Hoping its good, hope it's as good as Empire Strikes Back.

Predator: Hope its good. Has to be better than the prequels but doubt it is going to be as good as the original trilogy.

Darth Draven: Answers enough questions but leaves enough to want more. I would rate it high among Star Wars.

Casper: I'm just super excited to see what direction they take it in.

Ghost: Gosh, its sinking in a little, I really enjoyed all the Jedi force pieces of it and every time it jumped to the rebel versus the 1st order. I'm a little 50/50 on it.

Dent: It was a new type of Star Wars, it was long. Really for me, it had to much Disney humor in it but overall it was good.

This was only a small handful of people I interviewed. The 501st has many more people in it than you would imagine. I'm thankful I got to interview a wonderful group of people. Some people I interviewed before the movie and some after the movie.