For a decade, Rishi Sharma has traveled across the United States with a goal of preserving the memories of World War II combat veterans. At 28, he has conducted interviews with over 3,000 veterans and plans to continue.
Sharma’s Dedication
“For the last 10 years, I’ve been on the mission to interview every single World War II combat veteran,” Sharma said. He emphasized his daily dedication to this cause. Recently, Sharma interviewed 100-year-old Marine veteran Nils Mockler in Yorktown, New York. Mockler served as a combat intelligence scout and remembered his participation in the ferocious battle of Iwo Jima vividly.
“What did it mean to you seeing the American Flag being raised?” Sharma asked Mockler.
“Well, the hair on my arms still stands up when I think about how beautiful it was,” Mockler replied.
Beginning the Mission
Sharma’s journey began in his Southern California neighborhood, recording interviews with veterans. He created a map to expand his outreach, aiming to visit many sites to meet these veterans. Sharma’s passion for World War II history does not come from a military family tradition, as his parents emigrated from India and have no military background.
The project, titled Remember WWII, relies on donations to fund it. Sharma speaks with veterans for hours and provides these recordings to their families as a lasting memory.
The Diminishing Numbers
Approximately 700,000 World War II veterans were alive a decade ago. Today, only about 30,000 remain. Sharma believes that their absence in the future will mean losing more than just stories.
“Because for so long they have been the moral compass of our society,” Sharma explained. “Just the advice that they impart silently steers the ship of this country.”
As America celebrates 250 years, Sharma reminds the nation of the sacrifice and moral clarity provided by this generation, often referred to as the greatest.
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