In a galaxy …
Star Wars fan shares interest in doing good
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <br> Chris Scott, of Fort Dodge, checks on his Star Wars Trooper uniform recently as his daughter Jackie Scott, keeps an eye on things. Scott is a member of the 501st Legion, a group that dresses up as Star Wars characters and makes appearances at charity events, business functions and sporting events. Jackie Scott plans on joining the group when her own costume is complete.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <br> Chris Scott, of Fort Dodge, tests the microphone and speaker in his Star Wars Trooper helmet recently as his daughter Jackie Scott, gives him feedback on the sound. Scott is a member of the 501st Legion, a group that dresses up as Star Wars characters and makes appearances at charity events, business functions and sporting events.
-Submitted photo <br> Chris Scott, of Fort Dodge, at right, along with another member of the 501st Legion, make an appearance in costume at the Fort 8 Theatre in Fort Dodge for the premier of the movie “The Last Jedi.”
-Submitted photo <br> Chris Scott, of Fort Dodge, waves in his Star Wars Trooper costume while making an appearance with fellow members of the 501st Legion.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <br> Chris Scott, of Fort Dodge, checks on his Star Wars Trooper uniform recently as his daughter Jackie Scott, keeps an eye on things. Scott is a member of the 501st Legion, a group that dresses up as Star Wars characters and makes appearances at charity events, business functions and sporting events. Jackie Scott plans on joining the group when her own costume is complete.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <br> Chris Scott, of Fort Dodge, tests the microphone and speaker in his Star Wars Trooper helmet recently as his daughter Jackie Scott, gives him feedback on the sound. Scott is a member of the 501st Legion, a group that dresses up as Star Wars characters and makes appearances at charity events, business functions and sporting events.
-Submitted photo <br> Chris Scott, of Fort Dodge, at right, along with another member of the 501st Legion, make an appearance in costume at the Fort 8 Theatre in Fort Dodge for the premier of the movie “The Last Jedi.”
-Submitted photo <br> Chris Scott, of Fort Dodge, waves in his Star Wars Trooper costume while making an appearance with fellow members of the 501st Legion.
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On an otherwise ordinary June day in 1977, Chris Scott, of Fort Dodge, went to the drive-in movie with his family.
As the feature that night finally started, a few words rolled across the screen: "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away."
That film, the original "Star Wars," now renamed "A New Hope," created a lifetime fan.
"My family took me to the drive-in," Scott said. "The rest is history. I've always loved the story, the characters, the whole universe that George Lucas created."
His childhood was also filled with a lot of other sci-fi.
"We grew up watching 'Star Trek' and 'Space 1999,'" he said. "Anything that had anything to do with space."
Watching the various space-themed shows on television also gave him some bonding time and a common interest with dad, Rick Scott, who at the time, was serving in the Navy. The two would enjoy the shows together when he was home.
That child of 5 who was first mesmerized by the Star Wars franchise in 1977 would eventually become a chronological adult -- and join the Empire -- as a stormtrooper.
Scott serves in the 501st Legion, a group that was created in 1997 for devotees of the movies who have created character costumes and wanted to use them. Not to increase the strength of the Dark Side, but to do good things for the Light Side.
"It just kind of took off," Scott said. "We are the world's largest sanctioned costume group for Lucas. He has given us his blessing, same with Disney."
The 501st Legion is the national group. Scott serves in the Korriban Squad which is part of the Central Garrison which covers several states including Iowa. His Imperial identification is ST10772.
"We have 11,000 members in 64 countries," he said. "Yes. One of those do include Antarctica. One of the scientists working there is a member."
Scott wasn't sure how actual stormtrooper uniforms would function is such a cold environment.
"I don't know," he said. "My character is from ''Rogue One'' and the planet Scarif, which is a tropical planet."
The members of the group make appearances in costume in a variety of venues. Sporting events, Star Wars film premiers, conventions, private events and most rewarding for Scott, visits to hospitals to cheer up ill children.
They recently stopped at the University of Iowa Stead Family Childrens Hospital in Iowa City and Blank Childrens Hospital in Des Moines.
"If we can go in and visit a child that is ill or hurt and make them feel like a normal kid for five minutes that's worth everything we put into it." Scott said.
They do put a lot into it. Each member creates their own costume. Once complete, the costume has to be inspected to make sure it meets standards.
"It took four months to build," he said. "It took two tries to pass."
The members all find ways to create their gear from odds, ends and little pieces of this or that. Some parts, such as Scott's helmet, are molded replicas of an actual prop.
Scott embraced some modern technology, too.
"The blaster is 3D printed," he said.
His costume depicts a shore trooper squad leader.
He doesn't just put it on casually.
"It takes 10 to 15 minutes to put on," he said.
It doesn't lend itself to being worn during limbo contests, either.
"I can't drive in it," he said. "We can barely sit down in them."
It's also hot.
"This costume is brutal," he said. "I could easily loose 5 pounds in water weight at a summer event."
Scott's daughter, Jackie Scott, is planning on joining, too. She's in the process of creating her own costume.
She has spent most of her childhood joining her dad on his missions.
"It's really cool," she said. "I'm really proud of what he's done."
She's a Star Wars fan too, but not quite as much of a fan as her dad.
"I grew up with this playing in the basement with a Millennium Falcon -- when he let us." she said.
She knew not to take any of the other collectibles out of the package.
"Oh God no," she said.
She has many stories of seeing children's eyes and faces light up when her dad and other members of the group visit hospitals.
"It's one of the greatest feelings," she said.
For anyone wanting to join the Bad Guys Doing Good, the Central Garrison is at centralgarrison.com and the 501st Legion is at 501st.com