After 10 years, one man’s mission to preserve WWII veterans’ legacy continues

For the past decade, Rishi Sharma has dedicated himself to preserving the stories of World War II combat veterans, interviewing over 3,000 of them across the United States. At 28, Rishi continues his mission, recently speaking with 100-year-old Marine veteran Nils Mockler, who fought in the historic Battle of Iwo Jima. Rishi’s project, Remember WWII, is funded by donations and aims to capture the wisdom and experiences of these veterans before they are lost to time. With only about 30,000 World War II veterans still alive today, Rishi emphasizes the importance of their stories, which he believes have served as a moral compass for society. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Rishi reminds us of the sacrifices and moral clarity of this generation, often referred to as the greatest. QUESTION: How might the loss of firsthand accounts from World War II veterans impact future generations’ understanding of history and values?