Happy Belated New Year's

Well, I'm back if anyone cares. I spent the holidays participating in the 118th Tournament of Roses Parade. It was an experience I'll never forget meeting friends from all over the world and spending 6 grueling days in training. Oh yeah, we got to meet George Lucas too and take a few group pictures with him.

You see, we were all part of the LucasFilm's Star Wars Spectacular which included 2 floats, 200 Stormtroopers from over 22 countries & 36 states, 180 members of the Grambling State University Marching Band, and other miscellaneous Rebel troops. You might have heard about this in the media or seen the videos on YouTube.

I was honored to hold the famous Grambling State Marching Band banner throughout the parade even though I am not affiliated with the school. I have been in other parades before, but this will undoubtedly be the biggest one in my lifetime with over 1 million spectators along the 5.5 mile parade route. Every nook and cranny were filled with people and sometimes what seems like over 12 rows high in stadium seatings.

Definitely, all of us who participated will remember this experience for the rest of our lives.

- AV