Sabers attend movie convention at Club Eifel

Published Nov. 8, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The fifth annual Spangdahlem Star Wars convention took place Nov. 5 at Club Eifel here.

More than 500 Saber Airmen and their families participated in the event, which included games, prizes, movie showings and visits by guests costumed as film characters, such as Imperial Stormtroopers, bounty hunters, Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader.

Event organizer Jarrod Garceau has worked with Club Eifel every year since the convention's inception to bring the Star Wars universe to Spangdahlem.

"I always say there's two ways to get something done," Garceau said. "Either you find it somewhere, or you create it."

Garceau said he created the convention five years ago when he realized there were people here who shared his interests. He started with a $200 budget, and nearly 500 people attended.

"Someone told me lightning couldn't strike the same place twice," he said with a laugh. "Well, the next year we had another huge success. And the next year. And the next. More people showed up, we handed out more prizes and we had more special guests."

The special guests for this year's convention were members of the German Garrison of the 501st Legion. The legion is a volunteer organization that performs charity and volunteer work in Star Wars movie-quality costumes. The 501st members posed for photographs and talked with event goers about their past work and the history behind their costumes.

"The movies, stories and characters are known by so many people of different age groups and different backgrounds," said Senior Airman Patrick McLaughlin, 606th Air Control Squadron and participant. "This was a great opportunity to bring Spangdahlem Airmen together under one roof to enjoy the movie saga."

There is no excuse to sit at home, Garceau said of Airmen who don't want to get involved in base events. The club has a lot of programs available, and the only way they will improve is if people attend or submit feedback.

The next event at Club Eifel is a Thanksgiving Family Fun Night from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14. The cost for adults is $7.95, and the cost for children ages 5-12 is $3.95. Reservations are accepted until Nov. 11.

Airmen or their families can provide comment cards to 52nd Force Support Squadron staff for other club or convention ideas. Military members may fill out a comment card by visiting http://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=service_provider_list&site_id=530&service_category_id=15&dep=*DoD and selecting 52 FSS Club Eifel.