Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Muncy | New York Air National Guard Staff Sgt. James Bavarro, an aircraft armament system...... read more read more
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WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. -"You have to be careful with your armor,” Staff Sergeant James Bavaro says as he pulls it over his chest. "It's hard to move around in it, and if you're not careful it can crack or break on you."
Bavaro's armor isn't the ABU or ACU camouflage pattern vest worn by Air Force deployers or Security Forces members overseas. Instead, he's donning the blue-on-white armor of an Imperial Clone Trooper from the "Star Wars" movies
Bavaro, an aircraft armament systems craftsman in the 106th Rescue Wing’s maintenance group at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base here, is also a member of the Emerald City Garrison of the 501st Legion, a Star Wars enactors group.
The 501st (also known as "Vader's Fist") is an international organization with almost 6,500 members who build and wear costumes and uniforms from the Star Wars universe.
The Emerald City Garrison boasts over a hundred active members, who take part in various charitable events around New York City.
He got the urge to done the "Star Wars" costume just before his first deployment to Afghanistan, Bavaro said.
"My roommate threw me a going away party before I deployed," Bavaro explained. "A couple of guys from the 501st showed up in costume. After that, I knew I wanted to be a member. So my buddy Eric gave me a suit so I could get in."
The suit is as complicated as anything Soldiers and Airmen wear to war in this world.
It consists of a black jumpsuit underneath the white plastic chest and stomach sections. There is a mask along with several different leg, arm, knee and elbow pieces. A microphone worn beneath the chest piece gives his voice the familiar distortion heard in the "Star Wars" movies.
The mask itself features a built-in fan designed to keep him cool. That is essential.
"I once spent almost eight hours working in this thing," Bavaro explained.
Each uniform or "kit"as they are called, varies wildly in costs and upkeep, Bavaro said.
“My particular kit cost approximately $2000 and another $2-300 to put together after all the supplies were purchased,” he explained.
“Some kits can be built for as low as $800-1000. Others, such as Darth Vader, can exceed $3000. The most basic kit is a Stormtrooper, and although there are several variants of the build, you can do it for about $900 and it is relatively easy to assemble,” Bavaro added.
His girlfriend Allison Fleming, while not the "Star Wars" fan that Bavaro is, has been very supportive.
"When I first heard about the 501st Legion and what they do, I knew this was an organization that James would want to join,” Fleming said.
“It combines his passion for volunteering and giving back to the community, with his love of 'Star Wars.' I've attended a few trooping events with James and the children love it - and so do the parents! It is a very rewarding experience for James and I am very proud of him for taking time to give back to others,” she said.
Since joining, Bavaro has taken part in a number of events, including a New York Mets Family Day, the opening of the Maria Ferrari Children's Hospital, Stand Up for Cancer, as well as various other children's events.
He also took part in the part in the 106th Rescue Wing's Family Day on Sunday, Sept. 6.
In 2012, The Emerald City Garrison volunteered almost six-million man hours and raised more than $184,000 for various causes.
“I love giving back to the community,” Bavaro said. “I have done volunteer work with the USO and the Long Island craft beer community in the past, and genuinely just love helping out where I can.”
“ I feel that working with the 501st I am able to more directly impact someone's life in a very positive way, “ he added.
In July Bavaro “trooped” at Camp Paquatuck for the Muscular Dystrophy Association's summer camp BBQ.
“ I came in contact with some of the strongest kids and families I've ever seen,” he recalled. “Most of these children were in wheelchairs and will never know what it's like to walk.”
“In particular I saw a little girl around 6 years old,” he said. “She was unable to move her arms to operate her wheelchair, but when she saw myself and a fellow trooper walk towards her, she had the biggest, brightest smile I've ever seen.”
“Even though she couldn't speak or move her hands, her smile made me feel like I truly made her life better, even if for just a brief moment,” he added.
“Her mother thanked us and hugged us for her,” Bavaro said. “The mother said that was the first time she smiled that big in a very long time and was so happy we were there to make her day better. It's that reason that I love working with the 501st. I don't get emotional easily, but that instance made it difficult to keep them in check.”
| Date Taken: | 09.09.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2014 13:57 |
| Story ID: | 141821 |
| Location: | WESTHAMPTON BEACH , NY, US |
| Web Views: | 278 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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