Document the stories of the ‘Greatest Generation’ before it’s too late

During World War II, millions of Americans fought not only for their own country but for the freedom of the world. Some teenagers even lied about their age to join the military to fight enemy forces thousands of miles away. It took nearly four years of American soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen fighting alongside their allies to defeat the Axis Powers. Tragically, hundreds of thousands made the ultimate sacrifice, losing their lives in service. Those who served during these dark years are now known as the “Greatest Generation.”

Today, we continue to honor the heroes of World War II. However, we are losing hundreds of WWII veterans every day across the country. The youngest WWII veterans, who joined at 18, are now at least 97 years old, while the oldest are over 100. An estimated 100,000 WWII veterans were still alive in 2023, according to data.va.gov. Just one year later, the National WWII Museum estimates only 66,000 remain. Their numbers are in steep decline: Within a decade, only a few will remain across the world, let alone in the U.S.

Nov. 11 not only marks the end of World War I but also the creation of Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day. Originally, it celebrated the end of “The Great War.” However, in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower renamed it Veterans Day, transforming it into a day to honor all who have served.

WWII veterans, now in their final years, are given special recognition, but honoring them should not be limited to just one day each year. As they continue to pass on, preserving their stories becomes crucial before they are lost to history.

Since I was 15, I’ve been interviewing veterans and historical witnesses for my YouTube channel, Filmperia. I’ve always been interested in military and political history, as well as filmmaking. Growing up around veterans in upstate New York, I felt inspired to document their experiences. I originally started with WWII veterans, then expanded to interview veterans from all wars.

Each veteran has a unique story, and many had never shared theirs until I met them. Listening to the sacrifices these heroes made for our country gave me a new perspective on military history. As a patriot, I wanted to continue to spread awareness and show what everyday people endured that allowed us to enjoy the freedoms our country has to this day.

Now, as a 19-year-old college student in North Carolina, I have conducted over 80 interviews and produced two mini-documentaries, still with the primary focus on gathering stories from WWII veterans. I even skipped my high school graduation in June to attend the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. This is likely to be the last major anniversary of that historic battle with WWII veterans in attendance, as fewer are able to attend each year. I expected to see a larger presence of WWII veterans, but only a few were able to make the journey. I was lucky enough to meet a few WWII veterans on the flight to France, including Irving Locker, a D-Day and Battle of the Bulge veteran.

But there was one encounter that stood out the most. When visiting Sainte-Mère-Église, I met a French veteran who fought in North Africa under Gen. Charles De Gaulle. I simply thanked him for his service and shook his hand. That alone made him tear up. Despite the language barrier, he understood what I said. It seemed this was the first time someone of my generation appreciated his service. It’s vital that our allies also receive respect, recognition and honor.

Throughout my life, I knew dozens of people who served during the war. Now, only five of them are still alive. The oldest is my friend Russell Freeburg, a 101-year-old U.S. Army veteran who participated in the European theater of the war.

Still, there are some opportunities for people to meet WWII veterans. Visiting local Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts is one way to connect with a WWII veteran. If you have the opportunity to meet one, take the time to talk to them. Even taking a picture with one of them and posting it on social media is a way to spread awareness and allow their legacy to live on.

As time passes, our opportunities to learn from these first-hand witnesses grow more limited. Preserving their voices is essential for future generations, as their experiences cannot be fully captured in movies or television. It is crucial to continue to recognize, honor and celebrate the “Greatest Generation,” who forever changed the course of history.

Luke Basso is a student at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, North Carolina, working toward an Associate of Arts degree. He is also the creator of the YouTube channel Filmperia, which focuses on interviewing veterans and historical witnesses from WWII to the present day.