Cherishing the Memories of America’s Last WWII Veterans

Marine Corps Sgt. Andrew Biggio (L), the author of "The Rifle: Combat Stories from America’s Last WWII Veterans, Told Through an M1 Garand," poses with a WWII veteran. TheWWIIRifle.com

Commentary

After Andrew Biggio bought a 1945 M1 Garand rifle, he brought it over to show his neighbor, World War II veteran Corp. Joseph Drago. When Drago held the rifle in his hands, his eyes lit up. The frail, elderly man was suddenly overcome with a burst of energy and began talking about the Battle of Okinawa. The rifle had unlocked memories that Drago had kept unspoken for 50 years.