Star Wars Characters Visit Our Galaxy and Invade Methodist Children’s Hospital to Visit Patients on August 6

August 06, 2011

Imperial storm troopers, Imperial officers, Sith lords and bounty hunters along with astromech droid R2D2 invaded Methodist Children’s Hospital, a campus of Methodist Hospital, for a fun visit with patients on Saturday afternoon, August 6. They are part of the 501st Legion, an all-volunteer, international fan-based organization dedicated to the construction and wearing of screen-accurate replicas of armor and costumes from the Star Wars universe.

Children and staff around the hospital were delighted with the group’s visit. They especially enjoyed the remote-control operated R2D2 who spun around the hospital corridors and made curious beeping sounds along the way.

Based initially on the pristine white-armored troops stationed on the Death Star, the 501st Legion now includes costumes of other Star Wars villains. When Star Wars-creator George Lucas served as grand marshal of the 2007 Tournament of Roses Parade, more than 200 members of the 501st Legion marched in the parade. The group contributes to the community through costumed charity and volunteer work.