Get to Know Your MI501st :: October, 2012

Joel Aldrich
Legion ID: 8430
Joined August, 2009

Joel’s earliest memory of Star Wars takes him back to when he saw "A New Hope" in the movie theater when he was about 5 or 6 years old, or maybe it was playing with all the action figures in his back yard. “I had Luke and Darth Vader with the lightsabers in the arms and the cloth cloaks....Unfortunately, they all crashed in the Millenium Falcon and were never heard from again (I buried them and still haven’t found where at)”, says Joel.

Joel’s inspiration to join the 501st Legion came when he attended Celebration III in Indianapolis. He started building his first costume (with a little help from the FanForce.net’s costuming forum) and when he arrived at Celebration that year he saw all the cool costumes and was hooked.

He joined the Legion in August of 2009 and has trooped almost twenty events. When ask what event has been his favorite, Joes replied, “I have had so many great experiences at events, but my two favorite events are the Grand Rapids Griffins and West Michigan White Caps Star Wars events. I have attended every one of them so far and don't plan on missing any in the future”.

Being in the 501st has changed my life, explains Joel. “When I tell people that I am a big Star Wars fan, I usually get the "oh, you’re one of those people" look. Once they see the costume and her about all the great things we do as a group, they usually get excited. The best thing about being in the group is how excited the little (and big) kids get when they see us in costume. That means so much to me.”

When Joel isn’t hunting down a hidden Rebel base for the Empire, he works for a large egg producer, maintaining coops. “If you live east of the Mississippi river, you have probably eaten eggs from our farm”, says Joel.

Joel also enjoys reading. He has a very large Star Wars book collection for which he reads all the time. “I am always waiting for the next Star Wars book to come out”, says Joel. He also enjoys working on cars, target shooting, and hanging with my family.

Joel is currently attending college to earn a degree in Business. Joel explains, “With a full-time job and college, it takes up most of my time, but I know it will be worth it in the end”.

View Joel's profile...