Preserving World War II History: Rishi Sharma’s Mission

Rishi Sharma, a determined 28-year-old, has spent the last decade traveling across the United States. His goal is to document the stories of World War II combat veterans. He has interviewed over 3,000 veterans and remains committed to his mission.

Recently, Rishi spoke with Nils Mockler, a 100-year-old Marine veteran from Yorktown, New York. Nils, who served as a combat intelligence scout, fought in the intense battle of Iwo Jima. Rishi asked him about witnessing the iconic raising of the American flag. Nils responded, “The hair on my arms still stands up when I think about how beautiful it was.”

Rishi began his project a decade ago in Southern California, initially interviewing local veterans. Over time, he expanded his efforts, planning future visits using a detailed map. His enthusiasm for World War II history is fueled by admiration rather than family military tradition, as his parents immigrated from India with no military ties.

The project, known as Remember WWII, operates through donations. Rishi conducts extensive interviews with veterans, preserving their stories for families to cherish. While there were around 700,000 World War II veterans alive ten years ago, only about 30,000 remain today. Rishi emphasizes the loss of these veterans as a loss of society’s moral compass, saying, “Just the advice that they impart silently steers the ship of this country.”

As America commemorates its 250th anniversary, Rishi highlights the significant contributions of the World War II generation. Their sacrifices and clear moral principles are a foundational part of the nation’s enduring legacy.