Welcome to the Evolving Folks Project’s “Evolved Man of the Week.” Each week, we highlight someone who embodies what it means to be evolved, whether famous or not. This week, we honor videographer Rishi Sharma.
For the past ten years, Rishi Sharma has traveled around the country, recording the stories of over 3,000 WWII veterans. His work began simply out of curiosity about their experiences and continues to this day.
As his interest deepened, Sharma interviewed 3,000 veterans. His recordings now form a valuable historical record. Now 28, Sharma told Steve Hartman on CBS News’ “On the Road” that he feels honored to meet those he calls the “moral compass” of society.
In 2016, after high school, Sharma started his journey. Hartman interviewed Sharma about his drives across Southern California to satisfy his curiosity. The Remember WWII project depends on donations. Sharma spends hours interviewing veterans and delivers the recordings to their families. Ten years ago, about 700,000 WWII veterans were alive; now, roughly 30,000 remain. Sharma fears that when they are gone—likely within the next decade—America will lose far more than their stories.
Sharma has interviewed over 1,700 WWII combat veterans. By hearing their firsthand stories and wartime experiences, future generations will better understand and value the sacrifices and lives of military personnel. These men entered the war as ordinary boys, faced immense trials, and ultimately returned transformed.
“Because for so long they have been the moral compass of our society,”… “Just the advice that they impart silently steers the ship of this country.”
We at the Evovled Folks Project salute Rishi Sharma for preserving such an important part of American history. Today, we honor Rishi Sharma as our Evolved Man of the Week.
Evolving Folks Project 