The 501st is a charity group that has many people in it. Each state has a garrison that is broken down into squadrons and right now we have other countries starting to adopt garrisons in their region.

On December 14th the 501st Legion Alabama Garrison's Red Rain squadron trooped around the Quintard Mall in Oxford, AL for a very special night. The premier of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. I was there to take pictures and interview the garrison about the 501st.

As a daughter of a 501st member it was easy to get the people to do the interview. For the sake of privacy I have used their call signs in the Legion for this interview.

Q1: How Did You Find Out About the 501st?

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

Predator:Ran into them at Dragon con in 2011

Darth Draven: When I was a teenagerI was stormtroopers and looked more into it and it said they were people with a purpose and I always loved star wars and I could dress up so I joined almost a years later when I was finically stable.

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

Ghost: I think it was through Dragon con and I saw a bunch of storm troopers 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.

Q2: How Long Have You Been a Member For?

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 2 months

Q3: What Are Some Experiences You Have Had With The 501st?

Blaster: My frist 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: Its like 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 days when they are not feeling good. Also some if the Make a wish foundation troops.

Ghost: A whole lot of good experiences with Childrens Hospital and Make wish. It is really rewarding for me personally becauseI get to use a costume addiction for good. Because I was dressing up in costumes before doin 501st. Gave me appositive outlet for doing this. I have done 18 to 20 troops since I joined

Q4: Best Part of Being In The 501st?

Blaster: Me.

Predator: Friends that common interest

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

Casper: Just making people smile

Ghost: That kinda piggy backs of the last answer. It just gives me something to be apart of that is bigger than costuming. Because you get to make children really happy.

Q5: What Are Your Thoughts on the New Movie?

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

Predator: Hope its good. Gotta be better than the prequels but dought its gonna 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: Im just super excited to see what direction they take it in.

Ghost: Gosh um its sinking in a little I really enjoyed all the Jedi force pieces of it and every time it jumeped to the rebel verus the 1st order. Im a little 50/50 on it.

There we have it just a little bit on some of the members in the 501st! Some of the people who answer the last question saw the movie and was asked to give no spoilers.