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Heroes among us
Reflections of World War II veterans is the subject of a play and
book by Jane Cox and Patrick Gouran.
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If there is a common denominator among the 12 World War II veterans Jane
Cox and Patrick Gouran, both associate professors of theatre, have spent
the past several months interviewing, it would be the modesty they all share.
"We couldn't tell you how many times we heard (from the veterans) 'I
didn't do anything extraordinary' or 'you should talk to someone else' and
even 'there's nothing heroic about being a prisoner of war,'" Cox said.
"They are all so modest about what they and their generation accomplished."
Cox and Gouran are interviewing World War II vets about their experiences
during the war. Cox is currently in the beginning stages of writing a new
play which ISU Theatre will premiere on Dec. 7, 2001, the 60th anniversary
of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Gouran is participating in the interviews and is photographing the veterans.
The pair plan to publish a book on the individuals complete with the photos
and edited interviews.
The title of the play and book ("Heroes Among Us") comes from
the modesty of the 12 veterans. "You could pass these people on the
street and they're not strutting around," Cox said.
"You perhaps wouldn't even notice them. They're just like everyone
else. But it's really amazing to realize to what heights these normal men
and women rose to."
The 12 veterans interviewed by Cox and Gouran now live in central Iowa.
Their ranks during the war ranged from private to major. All were between
17 and 22 during the time they were in the military.
Virtually every theater of war and branch of service has been covered with
these 12 individuals. Cox and Gouran have interviewed individuals who fought
at the Battle of the Bulge, a survivor of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, an
artillery man who was with the liberation force at the Dachau concentration
camp, a marine who was a Japanese POW for 44 months, an army nurse, and
a Tuskegee Airman.
The project evolved from discussions Cox and Gouran had with retired Iowa
State speech communication professor William Underhill. Both current Iowa
State professors were hired by Underhill and worked with him for several
years.
Underhill was a bombardier with the Army Air Corps who flew on 50 missions
before being shot down on his last mission behind enemy lines. He was eventually
spirited to safety by the local underground.
Cox and Gouran said his reflections on the war during their stint together
at Iowa State led to their interest in the project.
"Listening to Dr. Underhill and others talk about what they had done
inspired us to do this project," Cox said. "It was his idea to
talk to just a few individuals and get their stories."
On average Cox and Gouran estimate that they met at least five different
times with each of the 12 individuals for an average of three to four hours
per visit. It didn't take long to get to know the veterans.
"After just ten seconds you felt absolutely comfortable with them in
their homes," Gouran said. "They all seemed to be at ease with
themselves and made us feel welcome." Gouran said the veterans were
extremely forthcoming in their remembrances and would become emotional at
events that didn't seem to hold much significance.
"When I would be driving home from the interviews I would think back
to what they told us," Gouran said, "and I would have a clear
vision of the events they described. Those events became emotional to me."
"Each has wonderful stories to tell," Cox said. "It was so
great to talk with them and see the incredible debt that we all owe these
individuals."
Around LAS
February 12-18, 2001
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