Cool Kid Rishi Sharma interviews WWII vets to help preserve history

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. (KABC) -- Our ABC7 Cool Kid for Thursday, May 26, is Rishi Sharma, who helps veterans preserve history by creating an extensive collection of interviews.

Sharma grew up fascinated by the stories and experiences of those who fought in World War II.

"I definitely retained my admiration and respect for those guys. There is so much you can learn from them," he said.

But he realized even the Library of Congress didn't have an extensive collection of veterans' interviews, so he formed a group and website called Heroes of the Second World War.

"We are an organization that finds veterans of WWII who saw combat. We film interview them and we still send a copy to the Library of Congress where it can be archived," he said.

Besides sharing the stories with the world, Sharma wanted to make sure the families of the men had those interviews for themselves.

Many of the men have few, if any, family members left. They are alone. Sharma's group also wanted to make sure they do not feel forgotten.

He wants their stories told and the men to be remembered - but most of all he wants them to hear the words:

"Thank you. Thank you so very much. You are a hero and please don't forget that," he said.