Documenting history is one of the most important things we can do so that future generations can learn not only from our mistakes but also from our triumphs and as a way to follow in someone else’s footsteps – to see how we are once lived. ThurstonTalk.com is a part of that, documenting the history in our area. We recently did an article on the 100th anniversary of Harvey Drahos. This article was seen by Risha Sharma, a young man traveling the world to interview WWII veterans. Sharma is coming to Olympia this weekend to interview Drahos and hopefully other veterans.
“I have always been interested in World War II since I was a child, World War II heroes were my idols and the type of men I hope to become,” explains Sharma. “They literally saved the world from tyranny and destruction. I started reading novels about WWII veterans in high school and I wanted to meet veterans in real life, so I started riding my bike to the local nursing home and the staff manager was so happy to see a younger person there, that he decided to personally introduce me to 25 different WWII veterans and I went there every day after school to interview them.
Sharma was fascinated by the shops they told him, and preserving them became his passion. In his senior year of high school, the local newspaper wrote an article about his mission, and people began contacting him, telling him they knew WWII veterans he could interview. “It almost became like a job,” he says.
Interviewing World War II Veterans
After he graduated, CBS Sunday Morning did a story about his mission. This helped him raise funds. It also received an overwhelming email response – about 10,500 emails and calls from veterans. Sharma decided to hit the road and interview them all.
He has now interviewed 2,010 World War II veterans in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. “Veterans receive free DVD copies of their interviews and we share their stories with many partner schools and universities who include them in their World War II curriculum,” explains Sharma.
He runs a non-profit organization Remember WWII with a YouTube channel called Remember WWII where he posts some of the interviews. Millions have watched. “I just try to interview as many veterans as possible while they’re with us,” he adds. “I’m also trying to do a TV series honoring these veterans.”
Remember WWII is coming to Olympia
“The importance of this project cannot be overstated,” says Karen Scheuseel, who first connected ThurstonTalk.com with Drahos. “Hearing directly from these veterans provides a lasting and enduring narrative for current and future generations to better understand the personal and historical impacts of World War II.” The memories of these veterans are priceless; It is essential that we capture their voices now as the number of living World War II veterans dwindles every day.”
Risha Sharma comes to Olympia to interview Harvey Drahos and hopefully other veterans, July 2nd. If you already have other local veterans, contact Sharma through the Remember WWII website or by calling 202.315.8743.
You can also help by donating to their mission.