rogerwyatt

Here is the FB Live of the unboxing. https://www.facebook.com/rogergwyatt/videos/10212450123920818/

Yesterday I unboxed my armor from Jimmi! The quality was better than I expected. The flexible fiberglass was even more flexible than I expected. Nothing at all was damaged in transit, even though the box with the bucket was slightly crunched in transit. I tried on the under suit and it fit perfectly. Was cool seeing it tagged with my name. In the first post I must call out those that made this possible. First was Kenneth Jones in Garrison Tyrannus. After Beck passed away he said he wanted to buy my armor as a gift and asked what I wanted to be. Beck and I talked about me doing Deathtrooper (he used to make jokes that I could be Jabba or the Rancor Keeper!). Ken didn't blink an eye. He set up a goFundMe and other 501st people contributed to the cause. I am extremely humbled by the generosity - honestly, to the point of tears at the moment. I know Beck would have been proud of me trooping for other kids like the 501st did for him (he was very close with Wayne Ellyson, Ken Jones, and Paul Childs). Ken spent 5 weeks making Beck armor from a Battle Buddy while Beck was in the hospital the first stay after his diagnosis. Beck had lost so much weight that he could fit in it (he was down to 45lbs). The day that Ken delivered it was a day I'll never forget. The picture of Beck standing in his armor next to Vader and another Stormtrooper and the pride and joy in his face is one of my treasured pics. He outgrew it before Halloween, but he got to wear it and show it off to all his friends. My wife and I have decided that when we are ready, we will mount a plaque in the case with a message from us and from Ken and we will give the armor to another kid with cancer with the instructions to pass it along when they outgrow it (and that they add their name to the plaque). So, I'm overjoyed with the armor and the start of the build, but it's bittersweet because I wish my son could be standing next to me in person on my first troop - though I know he is there in spirit. Thanks again to Jim, the 501st, and all my new friends. I'll make you proud!

I picked up Dr. Marten Talib boots. They need to have the lace covers attached, but other than that they are a match.