Over 40 World War II veterans sign historic rifle at The Highlands at Wyomissing
Andrew Biggio never met his great-uncle, but he's gotten to know him well.
'My uncle was killed in World War II — I'm named after him,' Biggio said. 'He didn't make it home from his war, and I did. I felt compelled to connect with him.'
Biggio of Boston served as an Marine infantry rifleman in Iraq and Afghanistan.
His uncle, also Andrew Biggio, died at 19 fighting in Italy during World War II.
'He wrote a letter home, how much he loved the M1 Garand Rifle,' Biggio said. 'So I bought this rifle, just from a regular gun store. I began to take it to World War II veterans to see what they remembered.'
The rifle was standard issue for U.S. infantry during the war, but in the hands of the ex-soldiers, it may as well have been a time machine.
'By putting that rifle in their hands, it just unlocked so many happy memories, sad memories,' Biggio said. 'I realized I was holding something special.'
He started recording their stories and took their signatures on the rifle.
Seven years have passed since Biggio's first signature.
The tales he captured from the hundreds of vets who signed the rifle — tales of resilience, survival and finding purpose after the war— birthed a pair of bestselling novels.
'It became a very therapeutic journey on how to live a successful life after combat, how to move on,' Biggio said. 'It's something I was able to learn a lot from and convey to a lot of younger veterans who were in my shoes.'
The legacy of Biggio's rifle grew a bit more on Saturday.
Over 40 veterans signed the weapon at an event honoring World War II veterans at the Highlands at Wyomissing.
Andy Biggio, a Marine veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, displays the M1 Garand rifle that over 40 World War II veterans gathered Saturday at the Highlands in Wyomissing will add their signatures to before it will be sent to the Smithsonian Institution. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Albright College student Tyler Boland helped bring together a group of local World War II vets for the event.
Boland, who majors in American history and business marketing, said he has been interviewing veterans as a passion project for the past few years.
Like Biggio, Boland had relatives who fought in the war, and his interest in the subject was spurred by those connections.
'I had two great-grandfathers (in the war),' Boland said. 'I never met them so I was always kind of intrigued.'
Boland has built steadfast friendships with many elder veterans over the years. He refers to the group fondly as 'my guys.'
'The World War II veterans just really stick out to me,' Boland said. 'I really enjoy that era of history.'
Albright University student Tyler Boland helped gather 40 veterans to sign an M1 Garand rifle during a World War II memorial event at the Highlands at Wyomissing. (Courtesy of Tyler Boland)
Saturday's event was the latest of several get-togethers for veterans that Boland has orchestrated. The goal, Biggio said, was to pass the 500-signature milestone.
After that, Biggio plans to send the rifle to the Smithsonian or another museum, where he hopes it will help keep the memories of those who fought alive.
'We only have a couple years left with these guys who helped save the world,' Biggio said. 'The further we get away from World War II, it's almost like history repeats itself. World War II had hundreds and hundreds of sets of brothers killed, guys who were killed at age 18, 19 … guys whose names we'll never know, who gave everything for our way of life.'
One of those men was Biggio's great-uncle, whose death still stirs strong emotions in him.
'Those guys never even got to start their life,' Biggio said. 'He (my uncle) probably never even got to have a serious girlfriend.'
Norman Wilikofsky was among those fortunate enough to live a full life after the war. He was also one of the 40 veterans who signed Biggio's rifle Saturday.
Wilikofsky was drafted in 1944 and served as an armorer on the B-29 bomber 'Rat Poison' in Okinawa, Japan. He served until 1946.
Norman Wilikofsky holds an M1 Garand rifle that he signed during a World War II memorial event at The Highlands at Wyomissing. (Courtesy of Tyler Boland)
'I prepared the plane for combat,' Wilikofsky said. 'It was all very hectic. We were waiting for a win.'
Wilikofsky said he remembered a time when it was uncommon for vets to share their experiences.
'Unfortunately, after the Vietnam War, people did not consider veterans until much later,' Wilikofsky said. '(During my service) I was 20 years old, still just a kid. We just wanted to get home and get on with our lives, which is what we did.'
Biggio said one quality of World War II veterans was how well they hit the ground running post-service.
'When they got home they got jobs and hobbies, had families, went to school,' Biggio said. 'They always stayed busy and just kind of kept their mind off the negative.'
Like the veterans whose stories he records, Biggio was also able to move on after the war.
He still serves, only now as a police officer in Boston, a nonprofit founder and a father of two sons.
'I think that's one of the keys to success is not to sit and dwell on things, not to peak at your military service, peak after,' Biggio said.
Wilikofsky said he appreciated the event Saturday.
'We were treated very much like human beings,' Wilikofsky said.
Over 40 World War II veterans gathered on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Highlands in Wyomissing to add their signatures to an M1 Garand rifle that will be sent to the Smithsonian. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
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