About the Great Lakes Garrison
Great Lakes Garrison is a subdivision of the 501st Legion, the premier Imperial Star Wars costuming group in the world. GLG operates in the state of Michigan and was originally a part of the venerable Midwest Garrison as "Michigan Squad," and then separated into a full-fledged Garrison in December of 2007.
Since then, the GLG has contributed significantly to the greater 501st and Star Wars communities. The annual Motor City Comic-Con is a signature event in which the GLG participates. GLG members served a central role in TrooperFest of 2009 and 2011. GLG members have also gone on to serve in various command and administrative roles at the Legion level for the 501st, as well as the 501st's partner organization, the Rebel Legion.
Why a Snowflake?
One of the more common questions we've gotten since our founding in 2007 is "why the snowflake?" The snowflake is just one aspect of the life and culture of the state of Michigan, that of a definitive winter; winters that often shape and define our character as Michiganders.
The snowflake is placed within a series of concentric circles which bear resemblance to a vehicle tire, another reference to Michigan's rich historic heritage as a pioneer of the automotive industry. In combination, the snowflake can also serve a double-meaning as the hub and spokes of the wheel.
The blue colors represent the many lakes that define the landscape of Michigan. In addition to the four of the Great Lakes which border Michigan, the state is also home to countless other lakes farther inland, as well as the smaller Lake St. Clair which connects Lake Huron to Lake Erie via the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers.
And of course, in the center of the snowflake is the insignia of the Galactic Empire, colloquially known as the Imperial cog. The cog is an integral part of the Star Wars mythos as the symbolic representation of the Empire, and all of those childhood images of Darth Vader first boarding the Tantive IV in the original movie Star Wars: A New Hope.
Charity & Community Involvement
GLG provides a network for Star Wars fans in Michigan to build and work on Star Wars props and costumes, and serves the community and various charity organizations. Some of the charities and communities that GLG has worked with include:
- Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Children's Miracle Network
- West Michigan Whitecaps
- Grand Rapids Griffins Youth Foundation
- Care House of Mt. Clemens
- The Judson Center
- The Ronald McDonald House
- SCAMP
- City of Sterling Heights
- American Cancer Society/Relay for Life
- Toys for Tots
- Forgotten Harvest