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July 11, 2008
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 On June 21st, I was lucky enough to take part in an unprecedented event within my garrison. Thanks to two of our members, Kevin “Sarge” McGarry (ID-3699) and his wife and owner of ACME Comics Fran (TR-1788), the Central Garrison hosted a one-of-a-kind event featuring everyone’s favorite Wookiee, Peter “Chewbacca” Mayhew. The event began with several of us gathering the night before to provide costumed backup to Peter for the proclamation ceremony that officially made June 20th Chewbacca Day in Sioux City, Iowa.
Here, SWAC provides you with the unreleased full version of that proclamation, as less than thirty seconds actually aired:
 When Peter first arrived with his wonderful wife Angie, the store went momentarily silent and all eyes turned to him, as he stooped low to get through the doorway of ACME Comics. Angie and Peter hung out with us, as we armored up for the presentation. The escort included myself, John Jaeckel (TB-750), Casey Slackhaus (TK-9420), and my Son Lars “Riku” Bowman. As well, our own Persephone and Harmonia were there to get pictures and keep the troops in line.
As we prepared, Angie talked to us about some of her favorite bits of EU. As it happens, she’s quite the Expanded Universe guru and a big fan of all the great material coming out about the Mandalorians. Peter gave us some sad news about his screen mate and long-time friend Kenny “R2-D2” Baker, saying that he had recently been told by his doctors, after a mid-flight medical emergency, that Kenny was absolutely not to fly on an airplane ever again. Unfortunately, this means that Kenny Baker will no longer be attending the conventions, which have meant very much to him.
After the presentation, the jet lagged couple retired to their hotel and the attending troopers all went out for some really tasty, really greasy pizza from a local joint. We each then returned to our hotel rooms to catch a little sleep before the following morning’s events.
 Morning came way too soon and we all soldiered our way to the lot outside of ACME Comics where we began setting up the Imperial Training Academy, a unique and inventive setup devised by John Jaeckel, Rob Carmichael (SL-9160), and others to really get the kids and parents interested in what the 501st does. The kids received a stamp sheet with an area to stamp for each of the seven activity stations they had to pass, such as the Thermal Detonator Toss, Helmet Issue Station, Tattoo Station, Face Painting Station, Targeting Range, ID Photo Station, and Lightsaber Training Station. But simply listing the stations doesn’t do justice to the amount of effort and time that was put into the creation of each activity. After all of the stations were completed, the child would be permitted access to the final station to receive their Honorary Imperial Cadet Certificate, signed by Darth Vader himself. By the end of the event, we had over 600 children complete our Imperial Training, earning over $300 in donations for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Inside ACME Comics, Peter Mayhew, with Store owner Kevin McGarry at his side, met a seemingly never ending line of adoring fans. From 10am to 5pm, Peter shook countless hands and signed many pictures and toys. For every one of them, he gave that sincere Mayhew smile that let them know that he cares about his fans every ounce as much as they care about him.
As the event wound down, Peter indulged us by taking a couple of group photos with all of the Troopers who volunteered. After about an hour to clean up and regroup, we all met up at a quiet little restaurant literally tucked away in the middle of a cornfield for the best steak I have ever tasted. By the time we arrived, Peter had already taken his place of honor at the head table, and we all filed in to unwind and relax with our Wookiee Brother.
When Peter rose to go to the salad bar, you could tell by his familiar wide gait, the swaying of his arms, and his warm eyes and kind smile that Peter Mayhew and Chewbacca the Wookiee are one in the same.
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