Community Chat

[Oznell]

As a teenager, Rishi Sharma was deeply moved by the sacrifice and service of World War II veterans, and concerned that their individual stories were disappearing quickly.  As he tells it, he got on his bike and started pedaling to various retirement homes and facilities in his area, (somewhere in California, I think), and that grew into him travelling nationally and internationally, recording hundreds of accounts of these extraordinary survivors.

I love this guy!  Now just 22, he's still at it.  I've listened to extensive interviews with him, and you can feel the quality of his intelligence, and the extent to which he loves and honors these men.  He has superior powers of empathy for what these soldiers have endured to sustain their country's and citizens' way of life, and he's bottomlessly grateful.

Here's a tiny snippet below of Rishi Sharma discussing his quest, but even more, including the priceless interviews, can be found at the site, Heroes of the Second World War.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsHbEGXhWjM   

[just bee]

Thanks so much for posting this, O.  I heard a radio interview this week and wondered if anyone else was aware of his mission.

There are so few left.

[bmorechick]

My dad is one of the half million WWII, Korean War vets still living. He's 95 and in good health, lives in his own apartment and walks everyday. My sisters and I are so lucky to still have him. We love him so much and are so very proud of him.

[spiderw]

What an inspiration this young man is, caring enough about those who fought for their country, wanting to hear their stories and most of all not forget their sacrifice.  I salute and applaud his quest to interview the WWII veterans and record them for history  The most touching part is that he brings dignity, joy and a voice to the men and women who fought and their need to be heard.  

God bless all of our veterans,  they are heroes and so appreciated by all.

[NAES1]

Thank you, Oznell for this very touching story.   @Oznell  5.30, 2021: Sunday.

 Absolutely, "WE" would not be here if it was not for these HEROS 75 years ago. 

 They __did__ make a humongous difference in the world !

 I signed the card.

Tomorrow I will be calling one well known hero in our town on Memorial Day, and will see him very soon.

He is bedridden. 

We support him in every way possible. Again, thank you.   

 'B'

[Oznell]

So true, @just bee ,  we're losing them every day, so many of these precious veterans now in their late 90's and 100's. Many of the ones Rishi recorded in the beginning would be gone by now, too. It explains some of the urgency of his undertaking. That particular video he made was in 2017, I think, and he's still going strong right up to this very moment, as you know.  But at least the lost veterans' stories are now forever preserved for history.

I was astonished that Rishi said that, in his school district at least, the history of World War II in class is only lightly touched, and then it is only mostly about the ending of the War.  Hoping that will change.   The men who actually lived the war are so deeply valuable on so many levels, first as human beings, of course, but also as witnesses to what really happened, including witnesses to the horrors of concentration camps and the Holocaust.

@bmorechick,  fantastic that you still have your Korean War vet Dad!   How proud indeed you and your family must be of him.

@spiderw--  So well put!   Just the way I feel, thank you for expressing that.

@NAES1,  how wonderful that you are doing your part in supporting your war-hero friend!   I'm not surprised that you would know and care about such an individual. 

[Boomernichols]

@bmorechick As well, you should be proud of him too!  All gave some and some gave all!I had 4 uncles that served and they have all passed on, the last one died in 2010.  Give your dad a big hug and tell him thanks much for his service.

[Boomernichols]

@Oznell This is an admirable young man who is truly appreciative of the sacrifices made for our freedoms.  Great stories to be shared!  ALL GAVE SOME< SOME GAVE ALL.

[Oznell]

Wow, @Boomernichols ,  four of your uncles!  What an impressive legacy of service for your family.  

[SouthernBee]

@bmorechick : Thanks for sharing your father's history. I know that today is a Memorial Day to honor the ultimate sacrifice paid by so many. Please sometime when you see your Dad : Give him a gentle hug from me for his service. 🤗❤️🙏