Preserving the Voices of World War II Veterans

Rishi Sharma has spent a decade traveling across the United States with one clear goal: to document the stories of World War II combat veterans. At 28, he has already interviewed over 3,000 veterans, dedicating each day to this mission.

Recently, he sat down with Nils Mockler, a 100-year-old Marine veteran from Yorktown, New York. Mockler served as a combat intelligence scout, participating in the Battle of Iwo Jima, a significant and harrowing event in Marine history. During the interview, Rishi asked about the iconic moment when the American flag was raised. Mockler reflected, saying, “The hair on my arms still stands up when I think about how beautiful it was.”

Rishi’s journey began in his Southern California neighborhood. Initially, he drove around to record interviews but soon expanded his scope. He created a map of locations he hoped to visit, determined to hear the stories from these “superhero” veterans.

Rishi’s interest in World War II history is not rooted in family tradition, as his parents are immigrants from India with no military background. His project, aptly named Remember WWII, is supported by donations. Rishi conducts extensive interviews, gifting the recordings to veterans’ families.

A decade ago, there were approximately 700,000 living World War II veterans. Today, that number has dwindled to around 30,000. Rishi emphasizes that when these veterans are gone, the nation will lose a vital moral compass. They have silently guided society through their values and wisdom.

This weekend marks 250 years of American independence. Rishi reminds us that this milestone owes much to the generation of World War II veterans, whose sacrifices shaped the country’s course.