The Rifle

It all started because of a rifle. The Rifle is an inspirational story and heroΓÇÖs journey of a 28-year-old U.S. Marine,Andrew Biggiowho returned home from combat in Afghanistan and Iraqfull of questions about the price of war. He found answers from those who survived the costliest war of all — WWII veterans. It began when Biggio bought a 1945 M1 Garand Riflethe most common rifle used in WWIIto honor his great unclea U.S. Army soldier who died on the hills of the Italian countryside. When Biggio showed the gun to his neighborWWII veteran Corporal Joseph Dragoit unlocked memories Drago had kept unspoken for 50 years. On the spur of the momentBiggio asked Drago to sign the rifle. Thus began this MarineΓÇÖs mission to find as many WWII veterans as he couldget their signatures on the rifleand document their stories. For two yearsBiggio traveled across the country to interview AmericaΓÇÖs last-living WWII veterans. Each time he put the M1 Garand Rifle in their handstheir eyes lit up with memories triggered by holding the weapon that had been with them every step of the war. With each visit and every story told to Biggiothe veterans signed their names to the rifle. 96 signatures now cover that rifleeach a reminder of the price of war and the courage of our soldiers.