Rishi Sharma stops by The War Memorial to film footage for documentary
GROSSE POINTE FARMS Oct. 13, 2023 – His mission to interview every World War II veteran has taken him to all 50 states.
Oct. 12 and Oct. 13, Rishi Sharma’s travels brought him to The War Memorial. Sharma, along with Little Dot Studios producer Nick Birtwistle, were on hand to shoot footage of the campus that will be part of a documentary show being produced by Little Dot Studios.
“This is incredible,” Sharma exclaimed as he walked onto the back lawn upon walking through the Alger House. “You couldn’t ask for a better scene.”
Sharma is the founder of the YouTube channel Remember WWII and maintains rememberww2.org. While in Michigan for about a week, some of Sharma’s stops included the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak, and interviewing veterans in cities like Royal Oak, Ithaca and Midland. Remember WWII is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to video recording all World War II veterans. To date, Sharma has interviewed over 2,200 World War II veterans.
Little Dot Studios is a British-based digital content and media network.
“Rishi has done this for years and his story is incredible, and he meets these incredible veterans who have these experiences. Rishi is the guide and we meet these characters through him,” Birtwistle said, in describing what the show could be.
Sharma, from southern California, learned about The War Memorial in January, when he first visited.
“I actually interviewed Larry Bennett of Grosse Pointe Woods and he came to a Veterans Club meeting,” Sharma said. “After our interview, he invited me to check it out and I was amazed.”
While on site this time, video and photos were taken of Les Braves II: At Water’s Edge, with Sharma recording a brief message with the art installation that is the world-wide twin of Les Braves in Normandy, France in the background. Additional sites included the Patriot Gallery in the lower level of the Fred M. Alger Center, the Reflection Room in the center, and the bronze plaques near The War Memorial's grand staircase in the Alger House, which preserves the names of those Grosse Pointe residents who served — and those who gave their lives — in World War II.
“It’s being able to meet my heroes and knowing you are doing something good for them,” Sharma said his favorite part of the work is. “These are giants among men and to be able to be in their presence and do them a service and being entrusted with their stories that future generations will know not just their name, but the way they look, talk, their characteristics and what they stand for.”
The 25-year-old Sharma began interviewing World War II veterans in 2015. The YouTube page launched the following year and has over 16 million views and nearly 200 videos posted.
“There are actually a lot of World War II veterans in Michigan,” he said. “What’s unique about the American veteran is the ethos of putting others before yourself. I was really impressed with the Wall of Honor here because not many communities have taken the time to do that.”
To watch Sharma’s videos on YouTube, click here.
About The War Memorial
The War Memorial, located on the shores of Lake Saint Clair in Grosse Pointe Farms is an experiential space open to everyone. For over 70 years, The nonprofit has served as a patriotic, cultural, and community center. Its unique environment attracts more than 3,000 events and 250,000 visitors annually while offering premier hospitality services for community and private gatherings. Its diverse lineup of innovative programming includes live and virtual engagement experiences for adults and children. At its core, The War Memorial celebrates the ideas of American democracy while honoring those who have defended those ideas with tireless effort and personal sacrifice. Numerous patriotic and veterans’ events are held as well as history and civics offerings on the origin, traditions, and challenges facing American democracy. The War Memorial remains committed to serving the community as a unique, dynamic, and forward-thinking hub for southeast Michigan.
CONTACT:
Alex Szwarc, The War Memorial
Manager of Communications
313.881.7514, aszwarc@warmemorial.org