A Father’s Tribute ALL GAVE SOME
SOME GAVE ALL
LCpl Tyler J. Troyer
6/7/1984-11/19/2005
USMC
KIA Al Karmah, Iraq
O
BIKE OF THE MONTH
ur feature Bike of the Month isn’t a custom build.
There are no specs, feeds or speeds to make
special note. It’s a stock metric and it can still turn
heads when it’s owner, Dave Troyer, rides it down
the highway, flying the United States Flag in full
glory. The bike is part of a father’s tribute to his son, and the
community that rallied around him in his time of sorrow over
the loss of his son Tyler, a US Marine Lance corporal (LCpl).
Tyler Troyer, born in Corvallis, OR had his life taken from
him in Al Karmah, Iraq.
Tyler was an energetic and inquisitive boy. Early in life, while
motoring around in his walker, he grabbed the hot end of a
curling iron, and got some pretty good blisters from it. As he
grew up, he loved roller blading, along with anything he could
find to jump or flip over. He developed a love for baseball, the
Seattle Mariners, and played for West Albany Bulldogs. He
was a left handed pitcher and helped the team reach the state
playoffs in 2002 after many years of missing them.
After 9/11/2001, he expressed his desire to join the
Marines. His parents signed the papers so he could join via
delayed entry program after he graduated in 2002. LCpl
Troyer was deployed to Iraq in July 2005 with 2/2 Marine
Unit from Camp LeJuene, N.C. LCpl Troyer was KIA by
enemy fire on 11/19/2005.
Tyler’s dad Dave was wanting to do something special as a
tribute to his son, and purchased a 2005 Honda VTX 1300C
with that gaoal. With the generosity and connection of friends,
his dream became reality. After seeing him tow the bike in an
open trailer, more friends purchased an enclosed 6 x 12 cargo
trailer for it, and had it turned into a tribute as well.
Dave became active in discovering organizations that
were reputable where he could help other families like
his. There are a couple organizations that pay tribute to
families of the fallen that we would like to list. One is a
501(C)3 non-profit that raises money for children of the
fallen: www.tributetothetroops.org. They currently have
chapters in Minnesota, (where it originated), Oregon,
Illinois, and North Carolina. Each year there is a ride set
up in each state that goes to families and pays respect.
Oregon’s ride is set for July 15 and 16 starting at Salem
Harley-Davidson, 3601 NE Silverton Rd, Salem, OR. All
proceeds from this ride go directly into the continuing
education fund for the children of fallen soldiers.
More information can be found here: http://www.
tributetothetroops.org/or/news-or.php.
The second one, which is in part directly attributed to the
efforts of Dave, is www.heroeshighway.net . This is a road sign
project that pays respect to the fallen. If you see a road sign
that has the name of a fallen hero, remember the families and
that our freedoms do come with a price. If you know of a family
that has had a family member killed in action, please let them
know of this website.
Thunder Roads Magazine® Oregon 10