Farewell to 2022

January is when we gaze back over the past year and remember family members, friends, and the people we have met. It is the time to reflect on the times and moments in the past. For many who have lost loved ones, the holidays can be difficult and the New Year may not be so welcoming. The year ahead may seem as if it is a burden filled with a year full of firsts. First holidays without someone, first birthdays, first everything. For each of us who has had to face loss, we know the journey is solitary and personal. Words cannot change your journey, but the reality is the pain will lessen with time. The void felt now will fill with happy memories of times spent, and new memories will follow. Happiness can be restored.

As we say goodbye to the people who passed away in 2022, I would like to share about a man I met a few years back, who is no longer with us.
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His name was David Troupe. He was an ordinary man and a World War II veteran. His life was not much different from others who touched the lives of many by serving in the U.S. military during that time. The warriors who without question answered the call to our country, not for glory or fame, but with honor, duty, and a purpose felt in their hearts.
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Journalist; Tom Brokaw was the one who dubbed our American heroes of WWII as the greatest generation that has ever lived. I had the honor to save the voices and stories of the seven WWII veterans in the book, ​Heroes: Voices of History. David Troupe was one of those seven and I will never forget him.
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I had the honor to save the voices and stories of the seven WWII veterans in the book, Heroes: Voices of History. David Troupe was one of those seven and I will never forget him.

His son-in-law called me after David Troupe had read a story in the newspaper about me putting together the book. I was told that David had never told his story, but he wanted to meet me and tell his story now.

I scheduled a time to meet and interview him. When I met David, he was in his nineties. He had a file full of letters from veteran families, his military records, newspaper clippings, and so many documents that he had started collecting, which he gave me the first day we met. He began to share his story and generously answered my questions. I was amazed at the details he remembered. He even could repeat the German words that he had learned to stay alive. He spoke some of those words before me, which he learned from a survival book, like the German words, I am an American. Can you help me?​

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​David fought as a gunner in the war. One interview was not enough, so I returned two more times, making a total of three interview visits, six hours of intense reminiscing from him, and countless questions from me. He was intelligent, sharp-minded, caring, and humble.
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However, as I worked with the stories from family members of the other six veterans featured in the book and collaborated with many contributors, and interviewed both living veterans featured in the book, a common thread surfaced. None of the veterans thought of themselves as great or heroes.

I also recall my father rejecting any heroism title imparted to him. I was just doing my duty, he would say, even after I commented that he had rescued one of the men in his unit. He would claim no praise, no hero’s glory for him. Other men were heroes, he would argue.

I heard the same refusal of a hero title from David and every one of the men I spoke to who fought in WWII and the Korean War, with whom I came in contact while writing and compiling the book. They would say, I didn’t do anything important enough to be called a hero. One man even refused to have me share his story in the book.
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I must share why I wanted to produce a book about World War II. My goal was to capture the first-hand stories of the men and women who fought in the war. The purpose was to have the greatest generation's words and emotions documented, so they would not be lost or forgotten. War is not just about battles, power, leadership, and territories gained documented in textbooks. It is about people, like David Troupe.
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David’s plane received gunfire in battle, and the plane was so damaged that it went down behind enemy lines. The plane crashed, and David and the crew had to escape and hide from the enemy. Just like in the movies depicting the war and the Underground Resistance, they helped David move from place to place while he tried to return to the American-occupied countryside. His story was captivating because it was about a real person and not a mere page in a history book.

David fought just like all our American warriors, and he was not wanting glory. However, he understood that in his nineties, his time was limited. He felt his story needed to be told, and for that, I will be eternally grateful.

The book was about seven American heroes’ stories, not just David Troupe. The book creation was in the third year when I met David and because of many elements and contributors’ life problems, there had been multiple delays. Six hours was all the time I had to spare for interviewing David. I couldn’t delay any longer to elaborate more on just one veteran’s story. I needed to continue with the book’s production and go to print. I was committed to the contributors and each featured veteran to complete the book and document their stories.
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My vision was for a book of unsung heroes that could connect with the younger generation. As the years move forward, many people may not have known a WWII veteran to hear their story, a human story direct from a veteran or a family member who had lived through the war. More than a textbook chapter.

Heroes: Voices of History was printed in 2018. Several months ago, Linda, David Troupe’s daughter, called me to say that her father at ninety-nine had passed away in August 2022.
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Today, at the beginning of the new year, I wanted to reflect on David Troupe, share part of my meeting with him, and bid a final farewell to him. He touched my heart and made a difference for many people, even ones who might not have ever met him.

While reading this, I hope you will realize how we all shape the world in some way. Take time out of the busy year to talk with a stranger or neighbor. Listen to their stories. Their story might not be as great as fighting in a world war, but each person makes a difference in the world. Don’t miss moments to connect with people. Live each day to the fullest and cherish each memory.
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I treasure the time I had talking with David and regret I could not have spoken with him more. I forever will be grateful for meeting with him. David Troupe, an American hero.

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