Back on June 19th and 20th I and Artoo rode up to Charlotte, NC with CO Jason Boyd for HeroesCon. This was my first HeroesCon and Artoo's first appearance outside of South Carolina! Not only was this convention thrilling for me and way beyond my expectations but I was taken completely surprise when I was asked to be what I thought was a group photo only to be suddenly inducted as an honorary Friend of the Garrison! You presented me with an awesome personalized badge and plaque to commemorate this honor after an extremely touching speech given by Jason! I was blown away! I could not believe what had just happened!
Jason later told me how swiftly the nomination went straight to a unanimous vote of my being an inductee! This meant more to me than anything I have ever been a part of! When I built my R2D2
In 2011 I had no idea what I was going to actually do with it but decided at the last minute to show it off at Captains Comic Expo spring of 2012 where I met Jason, his father Ronnie and Chris Gould. We immediately hit it off and from that moment forward I was always invited to area events as a guest of the 501st Carolina Garrison which really made me proud and thrilled! I bragged about these events constantly with photos at the R2 Builders Club forums!
I want to thank all of you at the Carolina Garrison for being so supportive and including me in your plans and event appearances. It has meant so much to me.
I have been a Star Wars fan since I was 10 years old in 1977 and to still be a part of that world on this level of fandom is an amazing experience and a fulfilling life long hobby! Becoming friends with all of you has enriched my personal life more than you will know!
Recently my life has taken yet another detour at yet another crossroad. As some of you know my wife of 21 years recently left me. Sadly it's a situation were we are unable to reconcile which has put me in a tough situation. I cannot live on what I earn at my current job for which I've been employed for 11 years. By March I will be moving to Florida to start back at an old career that I was successful at 20 years ago. I airbrushed T-shirts for tourists in Panama City Beach, FL and my old friends are welcoming me back. I hate that I will be leaving my Star Wars family here at the Carolina Garrison but that doesn't mean Artoo and I won't come back for an event or two from time to time being my 2 kids and my parents live here. There is even a chance my relocation will be at a large shop in Orlando! (And you know the benefits of that!!!)
Until I am able to secure safe passage aboard a fast ship with my droid and blast out of docking bay 94 I will see many of you at Star Wars Reads Day at the Charleston County Library in October and hopefully the Eighth Annual Captains Comic Expo in Mt. Pleasant February 20-21 before I go.
Again thanks to all of you for adopting me into this wonderful family of friends and Star Wars enthusiasts at the Carolina Garrison. I (and Artoo) will always be a Friend of the Garrison.
May the Force Be With You... Always!
Edward Reed and R2-D2
