Happy Star Wars Day!

I've been a Star Wars fan as long as I can remember. As as the years roll on, the list of what I remember gets a slightly shorter, but one thing that I'll never forget is my love of Star Wars.

Anything involving my earliest memories (born in 1975), involve my family and Star Wars; from watching the "A New Hope" (before it was called that-no shade, I dig it all) on a bootleg from reel my dad had at home...repeatedly, to going to the BEST store with my family to pick up my first 2 Star Wars figures (Luke & Han). To remembering walking to the theater at the Plymouth Meeting Mall to watch "Empire Strikes Back" for the 1st time with my older brother and us not believing Vader when he told Luke they share some DNA. To running to the King theater in King of Prussia on the daily with my childhood best friend Pat Macready to watch "Return of the Jedi" and being JUST as excited when Luke springboards off the skiff plank EVERY. SINGLE. TIME! And any time I had a minimum of $3.18 in my pocket, I was at Kiddie City buying a Star Wars figure!

In my youth, I was made fun of/bullied by other kids (and a teacher or 2 at school) for being a Star Wars fan. But just like Palpatine, even through all the teasing and such, it made my resolve stronger.

These feelings and memories have stayed with me my entire life. Star Wars is so very special to me. It's well past just entertainment. It's influenced, inspired and has been a constant friend for the past 48 years of my current 50. Now, I'm not gonna say it's my religion, but...I mean... kinda....? 

Anyways, I want to wish everyone who CELEBRATES (That's the key word here, IYKYK) a Happy Star Wars Day...which for me..is just every day, but just a smidgen more on May 4th.

May The Force, and the Fourth Be With You, always...

-Chris Ryons

Broaxium Outpost