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TROOPER INTERROGATION REPORT
SUBJECT 193 - DAVID WASHER
1) Tell us a little about yourself: your work, your hobbies, and your background.
I work for US Foodservice on the night shipping crew. My main hobby is, of course, trooping when I can. I like movies and my computer. After high school I joined the Air Force and did a four-year run with them as a SP (Security Police) Officer. Since then I've been in the warehouse biz.
2) When did you first get your costume and what drove you to it?
I got my first costume after attending a local con in Denver about 4 years ago. After chatting with a 501st member and knowing "where to look," I acquired my set of armor and joined the garrison (back then we were the 10th Mountain Division) and the 501st.
3) What is it about the character (of your costume) that inspires you to go through the rigors of portraying them?
I put on the armor to see the kids light up (and get scared sometimes). We have gone to the Children's Hospital here in Denver. While it's hard to see the kids in the shape they are in, it's good to see them smile for a bit and forget for a few minutes where they are. And in doing so take them somewhere "far far away".
4) How long have you been in costuming? What kind of experience do you have in the hobby?
I have only really gotten into costuming since joining the 501st about four years ago. The only other attempt was being Marty McFly for Halloween one year. I have gotten a second set of armor now, and would like to get biker scout armor and an officer uniform as well.
5) What's your favorite memory of appearing in your costume?
I have a few. My best was going to the Children's Hospital here in Denver and playing around with one child named Ethan. He had been there for dialysis. A process that takes a good while and would have taken the wind from my sails. But after he was removed from his machine he was up and about playing with us. We let him use one of our E-11s and even a heavy BFG. It was twice his height. It was so good to see him have a little fun and laugh after going through such a long ordeal.
6) What's the strangest thing to ever happen to you while out costuming?
I was standing as part of the gauntlet to the party at Studio 54 after the VGA show in Las Vegas. People filed past us on their way into the party. On woman turned to me while she waited in line and said "I've had a fantasy about a Stormtrooper since I was 15." She winked and smiled at me. To which I responded by opening my ams as if to hug her. She laughed as she turned and walked away. Another woman in line behind her came up and said "I'll hug you." and proceeded to do just that and kissed my helmet to boot.
7) If you could pick any stormtrooper from the Star Wars movies for you to be, which one would it be and why? (specify the movie, scene, and some description of the action)
I would like to be the one who picked up the "droid part" on Tatooine and said "Look Sir, droids." A fact-finding trooper if ever there was one and wasn't shot or made to look dumb (to the best of my knowledge).
8) If the 501st created a Tips manual on trooping, what tip would you add?
Glue where you can, cut where you have to, and don't drink alot of anything the night before trooping. Oh, and the last thing you do before suiting up is use a restroom.
9) How has the 501st influenced your love of costuming and of the Star Wars universe?
I must admit while I did enjoy growing up with SW, before getting my armor I always felt movies were just that. It's different now that I am trooper. I try to learn more and share what I know about costuming and the movies. As well as do the armor and George Lucas justice, and have fun at the same time.
10) If you were contacted by Lucasfilm and asked to appear in a Star Wars movie, what line would you want your character to deliver?
"Your uncle was TK-421? Sorry to hear that, kid."
11) What's the number one question/comment you hear from fans when you're in your costume?
"Where did you get that?"
12) What's your favorite part of working with the 501st Legion Fan Club?
Seeing that there are others out there that are as crazy as I am. Celebration II was incredible to see that many of us in one place.
13) If the 501st assigned 'handles' or 'nicknames' to its members, what would yours be?
"Washer" Since I was in the Air Force, that's what I answer to.
EDITOR'S NOTE: I find it interesting that 'Washer' chose to be the trooper in the movies who picked up a droid part that looked like a...well, a washer! LOL
14) In your experience costuming, which Star Wars personality has impressed you most in relating to her/his fans?
Richard LeParmentier, he always seems happy that we are at an event. At CII he walked up to me and looked at my Mountain Garrison badge hanging on my lanyard. He picked it up and asked where I was from. I said "Colorado." and gave him a quick run down of the other states in the garrison. (Wyoming and New Mexico). He thanked me for coming so far to the event, and asked if I was going to be attending a party later that evening. I couldn't as my wife and I were leaving that night. He said that if I changed my mind I was more than welcome to go. Too cool.
15) Which Star Wars character would you want thrown into a detention cell more than any other?
Luke. If it hadn't been for that kid the Death Star would still be blowing up planets. Farm kids cause so much trouble.
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