Goodrich- The Post Office went to the Dark Side for a few hours May 25.
Jon Leopold stood guard inside the Post Office, dressed in white armor as a Stormtrooper, to help the Postal Service promote the 30th anniversary of ‘Star Wars? and the release of new postage stamps commemorating the event.
As a member of the 501st Legion, Leopold has helped raise $11,000 for various charities since November 2005, by dressing up as ‘Star Wars? characters and attending events such as birthday parties, weddings, charity walks and more.
Leopold, 34, has been dressing in costume for four years. He also has an AT-ST driver costume (featured prominently in ‘Return of the Jedi?).
‘I’ve always had a love of ? Star Wars?,? Leopold said. ‘I always wanted to wear a Stormtrooper costume.?
Leopold’s wife, Susie, joins him in dressing up. She has three Princess Leia costumes. The pair met at an R2-Detroit Book Club meeting (a ‘Star Wars? fan club) in 2002. They married in 2004 and their wedding featured Stormtroopers, as well as ‘Star Wars? music, cake, decorations and a Yoda ice sculpture.
Leopold notes it is warm inside the costume, but there are fans built in. He enjoys dressing up.
‘I like the kids? reactions’small kids and big kids,? he said.
Leopold has marched in parades as a Stormtrooper, including the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., where he practiced with other Stormtroopers under the direction of an Army colonel for four days prior in order to learn military formation.
Leopold, a Ford employee, collected ‘Star Wars? toys as a child and as an adult, says he has about two hundred 12-inch action figures and every book on Star Wars that has come out. ‘The Empire Strikes Back? is his favorite of the ‘Star Wars? movies, followed closely by ‘Revenge of the Sith.? ‘I like the whole fantasy aspect,? said Leopold. ‘I watch (the ‘Star Wars? movies) every couple months.? Leopold estimates he has been to about a dozen ‘Star Wars? conventions and attended 100 events in costume. He will be in costume for about 60 events this year. ‘I plan to continue as long as I can wear the armor,? he says. ‘It’s been 30 years and ‘Star Wars? is still as popular as ever.?