A galaxy not so far away

A galaxy not so far away
Hank Long Woodbury Bulletin

There’s no better time than the present to be a storm trooper. That is, if you’re Mike Hansen and Steve Carter.

The Woodbury residents are members of the “501st Legion,” an international Star Wars fan-based organization dedicated to the construction and wearing of those famous white armored suits.

Steve Carter of Woodbury, regularly dons the guise of “Darth Vader” from the Star Wars films to make public appearances at various events. Among these events is the Star Wars exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul. Carter and fellow Star Wars devotee Mike Hansen are members of the “501st Legion,” an international fan-based organization dedicated to the construction and wearing of Star Wars-themed suits, such as those of Imperial storm troopers.

The idea behind the club, said Hansen, who lays claim to having watched the original Star Wars film in the theater seven times the summer it was released, is part nostalgia and part giving back to the community.
Steve Carter of Woodbury, regularly dons the guise of “Darth Vader” from the Star Wars films to make public appearances at various events. Among these events is the Star Wars exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul. Carter and fellow Star Wars devotee Mike Hansen are members of the “501st Legion,” an international fan-based organization dedicated to the construction and wearing of Star Wars-themed suits, such as those of Imperial storm troopers.

“It’s one of those things where if you didn’t know much about it, you’d think it was just one of those geeky fan groups,” Hansen said. “But when you find out about all the 501st does, it really is a great organization to be a part of.”

Already this summer, the only two 501st members from Woodbury have marched in a local parade, volunteered at the Woodbury Relay for Life cancer fundraiser and made several appearances at the latest touring exhibit to make its way to the Science Museum of Minnesota. All in the name of the Force.

The Science Museum exhibit, entitled “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination,” has given the duo and a plethora of other Twin Cities-based 501st members the chance to don their vast array of custom-built Star Wars-themed costumes.

“That’s one of the key pieces to being a member of the 501st Legion,” Hansen said. “Everyone has to have a costume that makes it appear as if they just walked off the movie set. When we all get together, it really brings the movie to life.”

Those strict costume rules have meant a heavy investment of time, money and effort for both Carter and Hansen.

Each originally joined the organization as an imperial storm trooper. Each has an assigned identification number. Carter’s ID is No. 4999. Hansen is storm trooper No. 7517.

And each has had the chance to expand their repertoire and increase their standing within the group.

Carter, who is well over six-feet in height, said he felt compelled by the force of his fellow 501st members to become Darth Vader.

He eventually bought the parts to the suit and has since assumed the role at most of the events he’s attended in the last year.

“It’s funny, because you’d think Darth Vader would be the most intimidating of the Star Wars characters,” Carter said. “But one of the last times I was at an event a little kid came up to me, gave me a hug and said ‘I love you.’

“What is Darth Vader supposed to say to that?”

Hansen has devoted much of his time lately to supporting the Rebel Alliance (the good guys). In June, he unveiled for the first time a near-perfect, operating replica of R2D2 at the Grand Old Day parade in St. Paul.

The 501st and other Star Wars fans from around the Twin Cities marched at the parade to promote the current Star Wars exhibit that will run at the Science Museum through Aug. 14. R2 was a hit with parade attendees.

“R2 is not even human, but he is probably the most liked personality,” Hansen kidded. “The kids will chase him around and come up and talk to him before they interact with any of the other characters.”

Distinguishing reality from fantasy

Although Carter and Hansen said they are definite fans of the Star Wars franchise, each said they have plenty of other hobbies they’re into.

“I’m actually more of a movie buff in general than I am a Star Wars fan,” Hansen said. “I was eight years old when ‘A New Hope’ came to the big screen, and the special effects were what got me.”

Carter said he’s always respected the story line of the Star Wars movies, and didn’t actually decide to get involved in the 501st until his children were grown.”

“I’m really not a big Star Wars memorabilia collector or anything,” Carter said. “I just discovered this group online one day and found out about how community service oriented the 501st really is. I thought it would be a fun way to do something good for people.”

“When you’re dressed up as an imperial storm trooper or especially Darth Vader and see the looks on the kids’ faces and the adults’ faces, it makes you feel good. Everyone seems to love Star Wars on some level.”

Carter and Hansen are part of the local 501st Legion members who will continue to appear at the Science Museums “Star Wars” exhibit through Aug. 14.

For more exhibit details, visit www.smm.org/starwars

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